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Is there an alternative cure for migraines?

 Migraine is a complex condition which may have several underlying factors. There is good scientific evidence that a major cause of migraine is food sensitivity. Certain foods are well known to trigger migraine. Sometimes referred to as 'the five Cs', these are; chocolate, cheese, claret (and other red wines), coffee (and other sources of caffeine) and citrus fruits.

While these foods are commonly held to be the main culprits in migraine, research has suggested that the most common food trigger is actually wheat. Elimination of these most common food triggers around the time of your period may help to control your migraine attacks.

Migraine can sometimes be triggered if the level of sugar in the blood stream gets too low (hypoglycaemia). This may well be the mechanism in individuals who can wake up with a headache or be prone to an attack if they skip a meal. In the pre-menstrual phase it is not uncommon for blood sugar levels to become unstable.

If you crave sweet foods before your period then this is likely to be a factor in you. To ensure a stable level of blood sugar regular meals and snacks should be eaten, and the diet should be based around fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and wholegrain starches like wholemeal bread, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice. All these foods give a sustained release of sugar into the blood stream which helps keep the blood sugar level on an even keel.

In practice, I find a common cause and overlooked cause of migraine and other headaches is dehydration. The tissues which surround the brain are mostly composed of water. When these tissues lose fluid, they shrink, giving rise to pain and irritation. Low levels of fluid in the body may also encourage the accumulation of toxins which natural health practitioners often believe are implicated in headaches and migraine. Many people find that just drinking one and a half to two litres of water a day can lead to a substantial reduction in the frequency of their headaches.

Getting on to your specific question about supplements, there are a couple of things that might help you. One of these is the mineral magnesium. During a migraine attack the blood vessels around the brain tend to constrict (shut down) and then dilate (open out). This second phase of dilation that is believed to cause the pain characteristic of migraine.

Magnesium deficiency tends to increase the risk of spasm in the lining of the arteries, increasing the risk of subsequent dilation and pain. Indeed, migraine sufferers have been found to have lower levels of magnesium in their blood streams compared to non-sufferers. More than one study has shown that taking magnesium may reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. One study found that 80 per cent of women treated with magnesium (typical dose 200 mg per day) experienced an improvement in their headaches. Because magnesium deficiency is relatively common in our society, I generally recommend that migraine sufferers take 200 - 250 mg of magnesium, once or twice a day.

Another natural remedy which can often be effective in the prevention and treatment of migraine is the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). The main active constituent in feverfew is believed to be a substance called parthenolide.

Parthenolide appears to inhibit the release of inflammatory substances which may play a part in the blood vessels changes typical in migraine. Feverfew has been found to reduce the frequency, severity and duration of migraine attacks, although it may take several weeks for benefits to become apparent. The daily recommended dose of parthenolide is 250 mg a day.