Migraine Headaches and Aromatherapy

Migraines are less common than tension-typestem through the trigeminal nerve toward the blood
headaches but represent a much larger healthvessels on the surface of the brain. Serotonin levels
problem. In North America, about 1 in 5 females and 1drop triggering the trigeminal nerve to release
in 15 males suffer migraine attacks of varyingchemicals called neuropeptides. These cause the
frequency and severity. The condition is consideredblood vessels to dilate and become inflamed which
to be chronic if migraines are experienced for 15causes the intense pain.
days or more a month. Intense head pain is theThis neurological disorder appears to be triggered by
hallmark of migraines but they are much more thana multitude of environmental, dietary, and lifestyle
this.conditions as well as hormonal changes and
The migraine experiencemedications. Some triggers are fairly common but
There are five phases to a migraine attack. Victimsthey can vary considerably between individuals. A
of migraine may not experience every phase but willchange in estrogen level in the body is known to
tend to experience the same phases each time.trigger a migraine which explains why more women
The prodrome phase affects more than half of allsuffer from migraines than men and why their
migraine victims and precedes the headache phasemigraines are often tied to their menstrual cycles.
by several hours or even days. Symptoms mayTreatment and prevention of migraines
include a dramatic change in mood, a heightenedMigraines can not be cured and no medication exists
sensitivity to light, fatigue, loss of appetite, muscleat this time that is completely effective in relieving
pain, nausea, diarrhea or any other significant changethe symptoms. Living with migraines requires
from normal well being. Every migraine victim, ortreatment to reduce symptoms during an attack and
migraineur as they are called, will experience theirprevention to reduce the frequency of attacks.
own particular symptoms. Recognizing the prodromeSome experimentation is needed to discover what
symptoms provides an opportunity for early abortiveworks best for you. If you suffer from migraines
treatment.you should seek professional medical help.
The aura phase affects about 20% of migraineurs.Your first priority should be prevention. It is easy to
The symptoms are neurological and can be quiterespond to a splitting headache but working to avoid
frightening. They develop gradually over 5 to 20the next headache takes a little dedication. Keep a
minutes and usually last less than an hour. The auradiary and try to identify your headache triggers.
phase is named after the most common type ofBegin by researching and checking common triggers.
symptom which is a disturbance of vision. This mayEliminating known triggers can be the most
involve flashing lights, dazzling zigzag lines, blurred,productive way to reduce the frequency and
cloudy or shimmering vision, tunnel vision or even aseverity of attacks. Be more conscious of your
zone of visual loss. Other symptoms include a tinglinghealth. Strive to maintain regular patterns for eating
sensation moving from one hand up the arm and intoand sleeping and maintain a regimen of moderate
one side of the face, auditory or olfactoryexercise.
hallucinations, vertigo, difficulty in communicating andMedications called triptans are usually the first choice
hypersensitivity to touch. Migraines with an aura arein treating migraines. They are designed to stop a
referred to as classic migraines and those without anmigraine attack after the pain phase begins by
aura are called common migraines.stimulating serotonin to reduce inflammation and
The pain or headache phase usually begins within anconstrict blood vessels. Triptans are effective in
hour or so after the aura phase has ended. Head painreducing the symptoms of typical migraines in the
with migraines is much more intense than withmajority of patients but they may not work for
tension-type headaches and at its worse can beunusually severe migraines. Triptans carry the risk of
almost unbearable. It typically occurs on one side ofserious side effects and it taken too frequently will
the head and tends to be a throbbing kind of pain.cause medication overuse headaches. They should
Other typical symptoms include nausea and vomitingnot be used during pregnancy or if you have high
and an abnormal, distressing sensitivity to light,blood pressure or a heart condition. They are an
sounds, smells and touch. Some sufferers mayexpensive medication for anyone not covered by a
experience abdominal pain, diarrhea, trembling, colddrug plan.
sweats or poor balance. The pain phase usually lastsAromatherapy - a complementary therapy
between 4 hours and 3 days. Migraines are oftenFew migraine sufferers are happy with results
made worse by physical activity and for many, adelivered by migraine medication alone and try
migraine attack is so debilitating that they are bedalternative therapies to ease their discomfort.
ridden during the pain phase.Aromatherapy is a good choice for a safe
The resolution phase occurs when the head paincomplementary therapy. Although some migraineurs
gradually subsides over a period of several hours.with acute sensitivity to odors and touch can not use
The postdrome phase has been called the migraineAromatherapy, many have discovered that it delivers
hangover phase. It can last as little as a few hours orsignificant improvement in pain and nausea relief.
as much as several days. During this time theSeveral essential oils are effective in reducing
migraine victim will feel tired and irritable, may have aheadache pain but peppermint oil (menthe piperita) is
queasy, sick stomach, have difficulty concentratingthe first choice. Clinical studies have shown that its
and may have sore muscles. Eventually even theseanalgesic effect is comparable to acetaminophen. It
symptoms subside as the body fully recovers.will also help to alleviate the nausea and can be used
What causes a migraine?in conjunction with prescribed medications. Dilute a
Although the exact cause of migraines has not beenfew drops of peppermint oil with carrier oil such as
proven, the prevailing theory suggests that migrainesJojoba or Almond and rub the blend into your
are a genetically inherited neurological disordertemples, onto your forehead, or on the back of your
involving the brain stem, the trigeminal nerve and theneck at the hairline. Alternately you may inhale the
blood vessels on the surface of the brain.peppermint by using a diffuser or a personal inhaler or
Before the onset of pain there is a phenomenon callby simply placing a few drops on a tissue.
cortical spreading depression. CSD is a malfunction inOther essential oils worthy of consideration are
the electrophysiology of the brain, in which a slowlyLavender, Rosemary, Roman Chamomile and
expanding wave of depolarization depressesMarjoram.
neurological activity over an area of the cortex. AtGinger essential oil has been found to be very
the leading edge of the CSD there is a brief periodeffective in reducing nausea and many find it to be
of stimulated neuronal activity and this is thought tovery helpful during a migraine attack.
be the cause of the strange symptoms that occurMigraines are a serious illness that can significantly
during the aura.disrupt your life. Always consult your doctor and try
At about the same time as the CSD occurs; parts ofto find the treatment that works best for you.
the brain stem become highly activated. ThisYou may find that Aromatherapy is an effective and
abnormal neuronal activity moves from the brainsafe complement to prescription migraine medication.