ABSTRACT
Migraine is a severe form of headache which affects approximately 19% of the population. Women are more prone to this condition as compared to men. It is a throbbing type of headache, cases of which are increasing reportedly. This rise in the number of cases is estimated to be a result of the raised levels of stress in the day to day life. It presents various symptoms which will be discussed in the following article. The migraine is affected by various triggers such as light sensitivity, excessive stress, etc. In the following article, the migraine will be discussed in detail in both the perspectives i.e. The Ayurvedic description as well as the modern approach.
INTRODUCTION
Migraine is a severe type of headache. The person experiences severe throbbing pain in one half of the head. It is a genetically complex condition characterized by episodes of pain that can be moderate to severe. The term “Migraine” is derived from a term ‘hemikrania’ which refers to pain affecting one side of the head. The pain of migraine occurs in episodes. There are recurrent episodes of pain that are accompanied with nausea, vomiting, etc. Migraine is a common cause of inability to work and hence, a disturbed life.
CAUSES
The exact causes of migraine are not known yet. The genetic component or family history is seen to make the person prone to migraine. Still, the exact mechanism that leads to migraine is not explained yet. There are estimations about various trigger factors that result in an episode of migraine. Some of the most common triggers are- Smoking, stress, excessive or insufficient sleep, alcohol addiction, exposure to bright light, etc. Some other factors may also aggravate the condition such as high temperature, strong smell, late sleeping, fasting, etc.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of migraine will differ from patient to patient. The migraine is presented as a severe throbbing pain in one side of the head. It occurs in episodes. The episode may last from minutes to hours. The pain is mostly so severe that the person becomes incapable of performing the daily tasks during the time of the episode. The symptoms of migraine are classified in stages according to the occurrence and type of symptoms. The stages are as follows-
- Without Aura Migraine - It is a recurrent attack of migraine which lasts from four to 72 hours. It affects one side of the head. The pain is pulsating in nature. The severity of the pain may be moderate to severe. The attack of migraine is aggravated by physical activity. The patient suffers nausea, light and sound sensitivity.
- With Aura Migraine - These are reversible attacks that last for minutes. The migraine attack is accompanied with the one of the following features in one side of the head- visual, speech, retinal, etc. usually accompanied or followed by migraine symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS
The migraine is diagnosed on the basis of the symptoms the patient presents as well as the laboratory diagnosis. The clinical evaluation will include the examination and observation of the symptoms of the patient. The laboratory diagnosis will include CT scan (Computerized tomography scan), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Therapy), various blood tests, etc.
TREATMENT
The treatment of migraine will include various medications such as analgesics (pain relievers), anti- emetics (that help to decrease nausea or vomiting), NSAIDs, etc. The patient is advised to make some healthy moderations in his/ her lifestyle. These changes will include practicing yoga, regular exercise, relaxation therapy etc. The patient should always try to avoid the triggers of the migraine. He/ she is advised to rest in a dark and quiet room.
AYURVEDIC ASPECT
The Ayurveda presents a very unique perspective regarding the condition of migraine. The illness of migraine can be correlated to ardhavbhedak in the Ayurvedic literature. Ardhava bhedhak is described in Sushruta samhita Uttara tantra 25. (According to -Su.Ut. 25/15) Ardhavabhedak is described as a condition which presents the following features. The patient suffers pain in half of the uttam anga (that is used as a synonym for Shir (head)). The nature of pain is throbbing and pricking (it feels like hundreds of needles are piercing the head) type. He/ she experiences brahma (can be correlated to disturbed conscious levels).The attack of ardhavbhedak will occur without any known cause. This episode occurs either after every ten days or fifteen days. It is a result of imbalance of the levels of all the three doshas (i.e. the vata, pitta, kapha).The main cause of ardhawa bedak is believed to be the imbalance of vata dosha. The vata dosha further creates imbalance in the levels of pitta and kapha dosha. The patient feels relief when a hot/ warm touch is applied. The panchakarma procedure given through the nose is called nasya. Nasya is very beneficial in the diseases of udharvajatrugata region (the region above the clavicle).
HERBAL REMEDIES
Planet Ayurveda is providing various preparations of natural herbs such as, Brahmi Capsules, Ashwagandha Capsules, Pitta Balance, Arogyavardhini vati, Medhya Churna, etc. which is prepared using authentic ways and provide great results in improving the condition of migraine. All the herbal products manufactured here are free from chemicals, preservatives, starch, additives, colors and fillers. These products are hundred percent natural and are formulated by MD Ayurvedic doctors with deep knowledge of Ayurveda and many years of experience. The formulations are prepared strictly according to the procedures described in the samhitas (classical texts) and therefore are very effective in promoting health and curing the diseased state. Planet Ayurveda has combined five useful medicines to form a pack for migraine namely MIGRAINE CARE PACK. This pack includes-
PRODUCTS LIST
- Brahmi Capsules
- Ashwagandha Capsules
- Pitta Balance
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Medhya Churna
Migraine Care Pack
PRODUCTS DESCRIPTION
1. Brahmi Capsules
Bramhi Capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda using pure extract of the medicinal herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). The bramhi is a very beneficial herb known to improve the neurological heath of the person. It helps in balancing the vata and kapha dosha of the body. It has very effective analgesic (pain reliever) properties. It therefore improves the overall health of the patient suffering from migraine.
Dose - Brahmi Capsules can be given 1-2 Capsules two times a day, with plain water, after meals.
2. Ashwagandha Capsules
Ashwagandha Capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda using pure extract of the medicinal herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha is known to promote the neurological health of the body. It helps in pacifying the vata dosha. It helps in relieving pain. It provides strength to the brain. It is therefore effective in managing the condition of ardhavbhedak (migraine).
Dose - Ashwagandha Capsules can be given 1-2 Capsules two times a day, with plain water. These capsules are given after meals.
3. Pitta Balance
Pitta Balance capsules are prepared by Planet Ayurveda. These capsules contain the following medicinal components such as Coral Calcium (Praval Pishti), Agate Calcium (Akik Pishti), an Ayurvedic Calcium compound (Jawahar Mohra Pishti), another Ayurvedic Calcium compound (Kamdudha Ras), Pearl Calcium (Mukta Pishti), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) (Giloy Satva). This promotes the overall health of the patient.
Dose - These capsules can be given 1-2 Capsules two times a day, with plain water. These capsules are given after meals.
4. Arogyavardhini Vati
Arogyavardhni vati are Ayurvedic tablets which contains the following medicinal herbs- Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Terminalia bellirica (Bibhitaki), Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), (Asphaltum (purified)) Shudh Shilajit, (Commiphora mukul (purified)), Shuddh Guggulu, Plumbago zeylanica (Chitrak Mool), Picrorhiza kurroa (Kutki), etc. These components are known to restore the balance of the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) of the body.
Dose - These tablets can be given 1-2 tablets two times or three times a day, with lukewarm water.
5. Medhya Churna
Medhya churna prepared by Planet Ayurveda contains Vacha Roots (Acorus calamus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Ajmoda (Carum roxburghianum), Shwet Jeerak (Cuminum cyminum), Krishna Jeeraka (Carum carvi), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Piper nigrum (Marich), Pipali (Piper longum), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), etc. These drugs are known to promote nervous health of the patient. It helps to pacify the excess vata dosha from the body. It strengthens the brain and also gives relief from the condition of ardha bhedak (migraine).
Dose - 1/4 teaspoon once daily with 1 spoon of Cow Ghee (Clarified Butter).
CONCLUSION
The condition of migraine needs proper and timely management. The main aim to treat ardhav bhedak (migraine) is to re-establish the equilibrium between the doshas. And as discussed above, the increased levels of vata will result in imbalance of pitta and kapha levels also. So, the target of treatment of ardhav bhedak (migraine) will be to reduce the levels of vata dosha and also balance the pitta and kapha levels. Managing the proper levels of vata will lead to the healthy state of the body. So, as the Ayurvedic treatment emphasizes on treating the root cause of the condition it is capable of eliminating the diseases permanently. In a nutshell, it can be concluded that with appropriate and timely management of vata levels of the body, the quality of life of the patient can be improved effectively.
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