MIGRAINE

This type of headche which is characterised by recuring paroxysmalattacks. It occurs in bouts. Often the pain gets pain only in one side ofthe head. Between the attacks, the patient feels perfectly well andleads a normal life.In ayurveda, this condition is known as anantavarta. There is anothersimilar condition which is known as suryavarta. In this latercondition, the headache increases as the sun moves up in the sky, and thepatient feels normal as the sun goes down.Excessive worry and anxiety is considered to be the primary cause ofthis type of headache. Exposing the head to the heat of the sun or thecold wind or snow for a long time is one of the precipitating factors.Many patients suffering from migraine also suffer from sinusitis.
At the times the headache becomes so intense that the patient gets
vomiting. During the period between two attacks, the patient, no doubt,
feels normal; but a trace of heaviness of the head and congestion in the
nose remains.

Treatment:
if the patient is having nauseating sensation, it will be
better to allow the patient to vomit out. Often indigestion precipitates
the attacks of this disease. Vomiting relieves ingestion and thus, the
patient is relieved of his headache. Even if there is no nausea, the
patient should be made to drink 5-6 tumberfuls of water and vomit it out.
Ina tumbler of water about half a teaspoon of salt should be added. It
works better if lukewarm water is used for this purpose. After drinking
water as much as possible, the throat of the patient should be tingled
with the help of his own finger to induce vomiting and relive the
patient of his headache.

Such patient are usually constipated . they should be given triphala
powder, one teaspoonful at bedtime with a cup of hot milk regularly.
A medicine which is very effective in this type of headache is
anutaila. This is medicated oil prepared by boiling 26 medicinal plants in
gingelly oil and goat milk. About 10 to 20 drops of this medicated oil is
to be dropped into each nostril and deeply inhaled. It has no poisonous
effect. Deep inhalation of the nose can cause sneezing. This oil, if
properly inhaled, removes the blockage of the passage of the sinus to the
nose. The patient feels light in his head and heaviness as well as
mental strain is relieved. He gets good sleep and the nerves in the nasal
passage are soothed. This inhalation therapy should be used 2-3 times a
day. When the attack of the migraine is acute, use of this inhalation
therapy gives instant relief to the patient.

Another medicated oil commonly used for the treatment of the migraine
is known as shadbindu taila. The dose of this oil is 6 drops only, and
it is to be used as described before. This is prepared in mustard oil
which is a little irritant to the mucous membrane of the nose, but it
gives instant relief.

Suvarna sutashekhara is the drug of choice for the treatment of this
condition. It contains mercury, gold, copper, sulphur and borax in bhasma
form. Some poisonous drugs namely vatsanabha and dhatura are also used
in this drug. But they are processed before they are added  to the
medicine and this processing makes them free from any adverse affect on the
body. Ten more medicinal plants or drugs of animal origin are added to
it and triturated with the juice of bhringraja. This is given to the
patient on empty stomach in a dose of 125 mg. twice daily with milk. It
works both as a preventive, as well as curative for this condition.
Godanti bhasma, which is very cheap. Is also used for the treatment  of
this condition. This is given to the patient ina dose of one gm. Three
times a day, mixed with honey.

Diet:
fried things and spicy food articles are harmful to the patient.
Curd and other sour things are also to be avoided. Cow’s milk and cow’s
ghee are very useful for the patient suffering from migraine.

Other regimens:
 the patient should take care to keep himself free from
indigestion, constipation, mental worries and anxieties and he should
not expose himself to excessive heat, excessive cold and rain. He should
go to bed early and avoid spending sleepless nights.