Understanding Migraines: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Remedies

Migraines are intense, recurring headaches often accompanied by sensory disturbances. According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 28 million individuals in the country suffer from migraines, with women being more affected than men.

The exact cause of migraines remains unclear. Historically, it was thought to stem from artery spasms affecting blood flow to the brain, leading to visual auras like flashes or zigzag lines. Over time, evidence suggested that neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin also play crucial roles, contributing to the neurovascular aspect of migraines.

These arterial changes cause initial constriction followed by relaxation, resulting in pain.

Research indicates that imbalances in dopamine and serotonin levels, affecting blood vessel behavior, are linked to migraine episodes. This combined understanding forms the neurovascular theory, offering insight into migraine development.

Common Signs of Migraine

Typically affecting one side of the head, migraines often come with warning signs like nausea or visual problems. They unfold in four stages:

Prodrome

This early phase signals an impending attack, with symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, stiff neck, thirst, or sweet cravings, lasting from 1 to 24 hours.

Aura

Neurological symptoms dominate this phase, including visual disturbances such as zigzags or spots, tingling, numbness, dizziness, and speech difficulty. Memory lapses and disorientation may also occur.

Attack

The main headache phase involves throbbing pain, often on one or both sides, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light or touch. Movement can worsen the pain.

Postdrome

This recovery phase may resemble a hangover, lasting hours to days, with some symptoms repeating from earlier stages.

Common Triggers

Various factors can provoke migraines, including:

Smoking is a significant trigger for many individuals.

Certain foods such as chocolate, cheese, nuts, alcohol, and MSG can increase migraine risk.

Skipping meals or altering sleep patterns may induce attacks.

Stress—both emotional and physical—is a known trigger.

Hormonal fluctuations due to contraceptive use, especially estrogen withdrawal, often lead to migraines in women.

Caffeine addiction or sudden withdrawal can cause headaches.

Weather changes, including shifts in air pressure and altitude, may also trigger migraines.

Alternative Ways to Manage Migraines

While traditional treatments utilize medications and procedures, lifestyle-based approaches can help reduce frequency and severity. Options include:

Yoga – Practices like child’s pose, downward dog, and lotus pose can help regulate blood pressure and calm the nervous system, easing migraine symptoms.

Biofeedback – This relaxation technique uses special devices to help control stress responses like muscle tension and body temperature changes.

Massage Therapy – Various massage styles, such as Swedish or deep tissue, might improve sleep, lessen pain, and decrease attack frequency.

Acupuncture – Inserting thin needles into specific points can provide relief from severe headaches, supported by clinical evidence.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT helps alter thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to pain perception, offering migraine management benefits.