Migraine is a headache disorder which is followed by recurring headaches varying from light to extreme levels.
It affects one half of the head and is pulsating in nature. It exists for about 2 – 72 hours followed by various symptoms like sensitivity to light, sound, or even smell.
Initially, Migraine may start at puberty, mostly affecting people between 35- 45 years. However, Migraine it as an even worse effect on younger people, including children.
About 4% of the children at pre-puberty age becomes victims of Migraine. As the children start to grow, it is more common and predominant among the girls.
Types of Migraine
1.Hemiplegic Migraine
Also called Migraine Variant. Is an extreme condition of Migraine, experienced by weakness along any one side of the human body in a migraine attack.
The weakness is temporary and lasts for 24 hours in some rare cases may last for several days.
Chocolates, coffee, aged cheese, and alcohol should be avoided
2.Vestibular Migraine
Is a nervous system causing repeated dizziness may not cause headache but may cause other symptoms like affecting the eyes, ears, vision, and body balance.
Red wine, chicken liver, bananas, ripped cheese, and yogurt should be avoided.
3.Tension headaches or migraine behind the eyes
The treatment of Migraine may include medication, but the changes in lifestyle and food habit are of more importance. Though healthy food habits and natural remedies for Migraine can be varied according to one’s preference, which can help control your headache levels as well as can lead a healthy and comfortable life. Here are some ways through which you can get rid of a migraine.
Foods for Migraine
Healthy living depends upon the diet one relies on, and there is a famous saying, “You Are What You Eat.” So, you got to eat the best and the freshest.
The Association of Migraine Disorders have created a list of “migraine safe food,” this list contains the food with zero preservatives, no flavoring substances and no any other migraine triggering substances.
Fruits, Vegetables, and Legumes:
How does it work?
These contain plant estrogens, which counteracts the adverse effects of the estrogen our body naturally makes which is helpful for the women to check Migraine during periods. The fibers in this food help to remove out the excess estrogen along with waste, so that it is not circulated back into the bloodstream.
They are also seeming to be low in fat, which will also help in making less amount of estrogen in your body.
How to use?
Dried or cooked fruits, especially non-citrus like cherries & cranberries, will be fine.
Legumes like beans, soybeans, fava beans, black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, etc. can be consumed like dals with rice.
Vegetables like orange, yellow, & green vegetables such a summer squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots.
How much to use?
Recommended 1-2 servings of green vegetables and fruits daily. It will not only help you with your Migraine but also maintain a healthy life.
Fatty Fish:
How does it work?
These are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and possess anti-inflammatory properties which to check the inflammation in the head during migraine attacks.
How to use?
Oily fish such as mackerel, tuna, and sardines, etc. can be served with rice, particularly with brown rice, which can help keep Migraine at bay.
How much to use?
Four serving of 125 gm of fatty fish a week would serve the purpose for helping achieve a healthy and headache free life.
Water:
How does it work?
Does a magical job of preventing from dehydration which a significant cause for migraine attacks.
This phenomenon is common in the summers in hot continents. Keeping your body hydrated helps improve your skin as well. Fight acne and pigmentation as well.
How to use?
Drink as much water as you can cause this occurs when the loss of water from your body is more than the water your body intake. Several herbal teas and fat-free milk drinks will be an excellent option to start your day.
How much to use?
No prescription involved, drink 5 – 6 liters of water every day for proper hydration level maintenance of your body.
Sweet potatoes and Carrots:
How does it work?
These are rich in beta-carotene, having an anti-inflammatory characteristic which helps improve blood circulation and relieves stress.
Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium along with other minerals and nutrients. Potassium also has anti-inflammatory properties.
How to use?
Can be served as salads and can be boiled and then served as salads. Also, it can be cooked and served while carrots can be used in making desserts.
How much to use?
Red carrots help in maintaining blood circulation, lowering blood pressure naturally and migraine attacks, so is advised to add in the regular diet while sweet potatoes can be served 1-2 in a month.
Salmon:
How does it work?
These are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and possess anti-inflammatory properties which to check the inflammation in the head during migraine attacks.
Rich in vitamin B and riboflavin helps to check the blood pressure, which improves the blood circulation keeping the arteries and vain relaxed.
How to use?
Can be served as cooked and as salads start feeding it regularly to reasonable your blood pressure and blood circulation.
How much to use?
1 serving regularly for a month should able to check your migraine headaches.
Ginger:
How does it work?
Helps by blocking inflammatory substances called prostaglandins, which is a lipid compound that causes inflammation and increases muscle contraction in our body.
Also, has anti-nausea properties which are useful in calming stomach sickness caused my migraines.
How to use?
Can be used as powdered or fresh ginger in cooking various dishes, also can be consumed in dried ginger candy form, also consumed by making sweet ginger beaked cookies.
How much to use?
No prescription required can be used daily in cooking etc.
A few teaspoons of ginger powder in a glass of water can help resist pain during headaches.
Figs:
How does it work?
Rich in potassium which shows anti-inflammatory properties and has a potential to combine with other substances and minerals to combine and form electrolyte to result in hydrating the bodyguarding against migraine attack as dehydration is also one of the triggers of the Migraine.
How to use?
Can be served with salads and can be cooked, fried and roasts. Can be dried and used as a dry fruit. Sweet ripped figs can be served directly as fruit.
How much to use?
Start adding it in your diet with regular meals and snacks.
1 – 2 serving will help you maintain the potassium levels maintained.
In general, 3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter is the desired amount of potassium in your blood.
So a high dose of potassium will cause hyperkalemia and kidney failure.
So a high concentration of potassium is life-threatening, consult to your physician before adding it in your regular diet.
One should practice eating hygiene and organic food for better society building. Food have a very significant role in our existence, now integrating these foods in your diet will help you build resilience to headaches and migraines.