Heading Off The Misery Of Migraines

By: Amy Rothenberg, ND, DHANP
2009

(This article first appeared in Homeopathy Today, the monthly magazine of the National Center of Homeopathy in Winter 2009, Vol. 29, No. 4. For more information on joining the NCH and subscribing to Homeopathy Today)

Linda, a 58-year-old kindergarten teacher, had suffered with migraines for more than 40 years. She could be struck at any time and without warning. A small flash of light, a slight wave of nausea were the only fleeting signs she would experience before a migraine was to begin. Next came the terrible, crushing pain all around her head, perhaps worse on the left side, with some nausea but rarely vomiting.

If a migraine struck during work, Linda would have to leave school, go home, lie still in a dark and quiet room, and sleep it off. Through the raising of her two sons, she would lean on her mother and husband to step in when she could not function, often two days at a time, two or three times a month. Though she dearly appreciated her family’s support, she also hated being reliant on anyone.

A Hormonal Connection?

Linda had always assumed her migraines would resolve with menopause, as they had been worse before her periods. In fact, she could count on getting a premenstrual migraine like clockwork. But when her periods ceased in her late 40s, Linda found no relief. In some ways, the headaches were even more bothersome; their unpredictability meant that she could not make plans nor reliably be available to friends and family.

An otherwise upbeat, positive person, Linda was starting to feel a bit desperate. These painful and life-disrupting migraines were really getting her down, and that’s what led her to my door.

Migraines Wreak Havoc

Migraines are more than just headaches. They are chronic and severely painful, and for some people, they can last for days, wreaking havoc on lives and plans. Migraines often have clear phases, including the aura (sensory warning signs of an impending attack such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling), nausea, and severe sensitivity to light and noise.

Ancient writings and historical artifacts tell us that migraines have been around for millennia, but this ailment is still not well understood. Over the years, it has been suggested that migraines are due to problems with circulation to the head and brain, but more recently, a neurological cause has been posited, perhaps related to brain stem malfunctioning.