A throbbing headache usually on one side of the head, accompanied by visual problems and sometimes nausea or vomiting. A migraine can be an individual attack or a recurrent problem triggered by anxiety, anger, excitement, depression, shock, overexertion, or changes in diet, climate or routine. An attack can last for between 2 hours to 2 days.

Treatment - Dietary

Migraine is sometimes triggered by low blood sugar. Specific foods which are thought to trigger migraines in children include cow’s milk, egg, chocolate, orange, wheat, cheese, tomato, rye, benzoic acid, tarrazine, fish, beef, pork, soya, bacon, coffee, yeast, peanuts. In adults: cheese, red wine, monosodium glutamate, nitrates and chocolate. To identify foods which may be a problem, check labels on foods scrupulously and keep a record of everything you eat, noting also any symptoms that appear. After a few months you may become aware which foods trigger a migraine. If you think you have identified a trigger, avoid the food for at least 1 month. During this time note down your symptoms, along with other foods eaten. If the migraine symptoms decrease, avoid the food group for another 3 months. After this you may find you can tolerate small amounts of it. However, if symptoms return, avoid the food altogether. You may have to carry out this process with many different foods to find the culprit.

Aromatherapy

Inhalations, baths or massages using essential oil of true melissa or rosemary and sweet marjoram. An aromatherapy massage is very relaxing.

Herbal

Medical studies have shown that feverfew is an effective remedy for reducing the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks. Take 2 or 3 small leaves of feverfew daily, chopped up in a sandwich (a sprinkle of sugar helps to disguise the bitter taste). Feverfew tablets are available from pharmacies and health food shops - follow the dosage instructions on the packaging. The results may take 2-3 months to become apparent.

Homeopathy

To be taken every 15 minutes for up to 6 doses and repeated if needed:

For hammering pain which comes and goes with the sun accompanied by visual disturbances and preceded by numbness and tingling in the lips: Natrum muriaticum 6c. Visual disturbances with vomiting and burning in the gut: Iris versicolor 6c. Preceded by visual disturbances which ease as the headache begins: Kali bichromicum 6c. Pain spreads from the base of the skull to the right eye accompanied by flushes of heat: Sanguinaria 6c. Severe pain round the left eye and down the left side of the face with tears from affected eye and severely aggravated by tobacco smoke: Spigelia 6c.

Chinese Medicine

Acupressure and acupuncture carried out by a professional can be very effective.

Acupressure

Massage your head as if you were shampooing your hair. Place your thumbs underneath the base of the skull on either side of the spinal column. Tilt your head back slightly and press upwards for 2 minutes while breathing deeply.

Exercise

Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce attacks of migraine. Swimming, walking or running for 30 minutes three times a week is recommended. Yoga stretches help ease mental and physical tension.

Relaxation

Migraine is often triggered by stress. Learning how to anticipate and deal with stressful situations may reduce attacks:

Learn to identify what your fears and concerns are; making a list can sometimes help. Learn to deal with these problems one by one; talking to a friend, relative or health practitioner, a counselor or psychotherapist will help. If possible avoid creating unnecessary stress; for example, always give yourself plenty of time, so that you don’t have to rush to appointments; try not to take on more work or activities than you can handle; learn to say ‘no’. Attend a yoga or meditation class, take regular exercise or develop a hobby to help you relax.

Reflexology

Massage the area relating to the head, which is all the toes, particularly the big toes. Massage the neck area, located where the toes join the sole of the foot.

Professional Help

Applied kinesiology is used to direct allergies. Osteopathy can help when the migraine is related to a spinal misalignment. Craniosacral osteopathy can help when it is related to facial or jaw misalignment.

Orthodox

If you are taking the Pill, your doctor would probably recommend an alternative method of contraception. Painkillers may also be prescribed, along with drugs which have a stabilizing effect on the blood vessels of the head.