Migraine

Migraine is a type of recurrent, throbbing, vascular Headache.  They are characterized by changes (contriction followed by dilation) in Cerebral Blood Vessels.

 

 Migraines affect 10% of the population - 17% of women and 5% of men.

 The most susceptible group are women aged 25 through to 44.

 There is a strong genetic element in the likelihood of an individual experiencing Migraines.

 A typical Migraine attack lasts for one to 72 hours and occurs approximately once per month.

 

Alkaloids

 Capsaicin (applied topically) may alleviate the Pain associated with Migraine.  ^[2]

 

Amino Acids

 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) may help to prevent and alleviate Migraine.  ^[3]

 Supplemental S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) (after long-term use) may help to treat Migraines.  ^[4]

 Tryptophan may help to prevent and alleviate Migraine.  ^[5]

 

Carbohydrates

 Glucosamine may alleviate Migraine. ^[6]

 

Enzymes

 Phenolsulphotransferase - P (PST-P) may help to prevent Migraines by catalyzing the metabolism/breakdown of Tyramine.  ^[7]

 

Hormones

 People who are prone to Migraines often exhibit lower levels of Melatonin secretion from their Pineal Gland and supplemental Melatonin may help to prevent Migraines in such people.  ^[8]

 Progesterone (cream applied topically) may alleviate Migraines in many women (by counteracting the that causes many cases of Migraines in women).  ^[9]

 

Lactones

 Parthenolide (a constituent of Feverfew) may prevent and alleviate Migraines in 70% of cases (by inhibiting Platelet Aggregation, inhibiting the secretion of Serotonin and preventing the release of excessive Arachidonic Acid). 

 

Lipids

 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) may reduce the severity, frequency and duration of Migraine attacks by 86%.  ^[10]

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Omega 3 Fatty Acids) may reduce the incidence and Pain of Migraines and may increase the duration between Migraine attacks:

 Alpha-Linolenic Acid may reduce the severity, frequency and duration of Migraine attacks by 86%.  ^[11]

 Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) may reduce the incidence of Migraine attacks by 50% and may increase the duration between Migraine attacks by 100% (by stimulating the production of beneficial Prostaglandins).

 

Minerals

 Calcium (especially when consumed in conjunction with Vitamin D) may alleviate Migraines in some patients.  ^[12]

 Lithium may alleviate the Pain associated with Migraines.  ^[13]

 Migraine often occurs as a result of low Brain levels of Magnesium - most Migraine patients are found to have low Brain Magnesium levels during Migraine attacks and supplemental Magnesium (600 mg per day) may be beneficial for the treatment of Migraine.  ^[14]

 

Neurotransmitters

 Insufficient production of Serotonin may be the underlying cause of Migraines.  ^[15]

 

Oxygen Therapies

 Ozone therapy may help to prevent Migraine.  ^[16]

 

Prescribed Medications

 Aspirin (325 mg per day) may help to prevent of Migraines (by inhibiting the Cyclooxygenase enzyme that causes the production of Prostaglandin E2 that is implicated in Migraines):

 Caution:  Aspirin also inhibits several beneficial Prostaglandins.

 Nimodipine may prevent Migraines and may prevent both the vasoconstriction and vasodilation phases of Migraines.  ^[17]

    Sumatriptan (6 mg administered subcutaneously) may effectively alleviate Migraine in approximately 70% of patients (by stimulating the Brain's 5-HT1D Receptors).  ^[18]
 

Polyphenols

 Pycnogenol may reduce the frequency and severity of Migraines.  ^[19]

 

Quinones

 Coenzyme Q10 (150 mg per day) may help to prevent Migraine.  ^[20]

 

Smart Drugs

 Bromocriptine (7.5 mg per day) may prevent Migraines in women who only have Migraines immediately prior to, during or immediately following the onset of Menstruation.  ^[21]