Introduction
The congestion and exudation from the cranial blood vessels affecting only one side of the head is the fundamental cause of migraine. The escape of fluid and deposition of it in or on the tissues cause blockage of the function of the bodily passages conducted through the nervous system for the in and out transition, which in fact, is the significance of the severe headache involving the affected side of the head.
There are many causes of the cranial blood vessel’s congestion and exudation. The ear wax infection; sleeping during the day, especially for allergic persons; effect of the cold breeze of the morning or snow land; effect of withholding the forces of sneezing, especially during the attack of flu; recurrent infection of congestion, etc. are main causes of cranial blood vessel’s congestion and exudation.
The morbid condition of the congestion and exudation is defined as a “Kaphadosa”, the Ayurvedic term to indicate the aggravated function of the arteries. The deposition of the exudated fluid, in general, causes blockage of the bodily passages for the in and out transition. In this condition, the constant impulses conducted through the function of the nervous system, reverse back affecting the blocked area. This morbid condition of the nervous system is called a “Vatadosa”, the Ayurvedic term to indicate the aggravated condition of the concerning nervous system. In this regard to this principle, the morbid condition of migraine is classified within the character of “Vata-Kapha”, the Ayurvedic keynote for proper diagnosis and treatment. Ardhavabhedaka is the equivalent Sanskrit term for migraine.
Once a week or twice a week or once a month or twice a month, all of a sudden, a severe headache affecting only one side of the head, is the main symptom of migraine. During the attack of migraine, the ear, temple, eye, and sinuses either the right or left side can be affected. The problem of migraine, not being treated properly, finally causes damage to the eye and ear.
It is well investigated that the attack of migraine comes and goes. The constant impulses of the nervous system caused by blockage create more heat. This heat dilates the blood vessels. In this condition, the blockage caused by exudation, by itself disappears. So the impulses result in severe headache and the headache disappears when blockage is opened. This is the general rule as to why the headache comes and goes. However, the recurrent attack of headache continues until the cause of the morbid condition of cranial blood vessels is not completely counteracted with proper treatment.
The general treatment of migraine is based on the combination of drugs, which dilate the capillaries, stop the exudation, promote the filtration of exudated fluid, and restore the balance of the three major bodily systems e.g. the nerve, vein, and artery system.
Causes of Migraine
The fundamental cause of migraine is the congestion and exudation of the cranial blood vessels affecting only one side of the head. The morbid condition of congestion and exudation causes blockage in two ways: the blockage concerned with the expanded bulk of the capillaries due to the abnormal accumulation of blood and the blockage concerned with the deposition of escaped fluid in the in and out transits. The blockage of any part of the body, whatever may be the condition of it, disturbs the function of the nervous system and results in abnormal impulses. Whenever the impulses reverse back, they cause pain, because there is pressure of counteracting impulses.
Some of the causes, that result in cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation, are ear wax infection; sleeping during the day; the effect of a cold atmosphere; withholding the forces of sneezing; recurrent infection of conjunctivitis, etc.
The ear wax dissolved in some conditions can infect the eustachian tube, which can be the cause of cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation. This condition of the ear not being treated properly finally causes migraine. Migraine concerned with ear wax infection is very common to the person who is fond of taking baths or swimming. It is true especially when someone has ear problems.
Sleeping during the day, in general, always causes exudation. Heaviness is the significance of it. The artery to be more active compared to the activity of the veins is the main cause of it. In this condition, the cranial blood vessel’s congestion and exudation can be the cause of migraine. It is especially true when someone has allergic problems. The problem of migraine, concerned with sleeping during the day is very common to women.
The effect of a cold atmosphere is concerned with a cool breeze, especially blowing from the east or snow land in the morning. The effect of a cool breeze constricts the capillaries of the skin that, in fact, causes congestion of the internal blood vessels. This physical condition which particularly affects the head can be the cause of cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation. Migraines concerned with the effect of the cold atmosphere is very common in people who live in cold countries or alpine areas.
Having a common cold or flu or hay fever, sneezing as a symptom of it, comes and goes. In this condition, one who withholds the forces of sneezing or the forces of sneezing without blowing properly disappears can have the problem of cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation. Because the forces of sneezing are being reversed back to the head, dilates the blood vessels. The migraine concerned with withholding the sneezing is very common to the person who suffers often on with flue or hay fever.
The recurrent infection of conjunctivitis not being treated well can result in the cranial blood vessel’s congestion and exudation. In this condition, migraine is very common; however, the migraine concerned with conjunctivitis has to be diagnosed properly. Otherwise, the symptoms of migraine related to glaucoma not being recognized can destroy the eye. This is very important to pay attention to diagnosis.
Regarding these causes of cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation, which result in migraine, Vata-Kapha is the Ayurvedic keynote for proper diagnosis and treatment. The morbid condition of congestion, which is related to the aggravated function of the nervous system, is the significance of Vata and the morbid condition of exudation, which is concerned with the aggravated function of the artery system, is the significance of Kapha. This is the theory of Ayurveda to present the fundamental causes of migraine.
Symptoms of Migraine
Severe headache affecting only one side of the head is the main symptom of migraine. This kind of headache appears all of a sudden, once a week or twice a week or once a month or twice a month. There is no rule of attack. It depends upon the conditions of the patient. In general, the patient who is nervous, skinny, and restless suffers from frequent attacks of migraine. During the attack of migraine, the ear, temple, eye, and sinus either of the right or left side can be affected. This is very important to pay attention to diagnosis.
The migraine concerned with the ear wax infection must have had ear problems e.g. ear itching, blockage for hearing, and some throat problems affecting even the nose.
The migraine concerned with sleeping during the day must have some allergic problems e.g. hay fever, urticaria, or asthma, etc.
The migraine concerned with the effect of a cold atmosphere, in general, develops with mid-chest congestion.
The migraine concerned with the withholding forces of sneezing always is accompanied by the symptom of flu or common cold.
The migraine concerned with the recurrent infection of conjunctivitis must have problems of the eyes e.g. some condition of blepharitis, loss of eyelashes, varicosis of optical veins, red eyes, etc.
These symptoms of migraine are related to different causes of it, is very important to pay attention to proper diagnosis.
Prevention from Migraine
Sleeping during the day is strictly prohibited and there should not be any disturbances during sleep at night.
Yogurt (curd), acidic fruits and foods, greasy foods, salads, etc. which cause exudation should not be taken when someone is suffering from cold, flu, or conjunctivitis.
Someone who lives in a cold country or alpine area should protect the head, keeping warm, especially in the morning.
While taking a bath or swimming, the ears should be protected from the water, by plugging cotton in it. It is important to someone who has ear problems.
The force of sneezing should not be controlled or the force of sneezing if disappears without blowing the nose, some stimulating drug for snuff must be used and clean the nose.
Allergic problems e.g. hay fever, conjunctivitis, flu, common cold, and ear problems should be treated as soon as possible for cure with proper diet.
Contradictory foods e.g. milk to be taken together with fish or acid fruits are strictly prohibited. These kinds of foods can aggravate the problem of migraine.
A bowel movement should be regular. Constipation whatever may be the cause of it can aggravate the problem of migraine.
Treatment of Migraine
The general treatment of migraine is based on the combination of drugs, which dilate capillaries, stop the exudation, promote the filtration of exudated fluid, and restore the balance of the three major bodily systems.
The drugs, which dilate the capillaries, create heat and the heat stimulates the function of the nerves. The stimulated nerves produce more strong impulses to open the blockage for proper blood circulation.
Guggulu, the resin of Balsamodendron mukul is one of the best remedies for dilations of cranial capillaries.
The drugs, which stop the exudation, contain some bitter, pungent, and astringent herbs, which constrict the capillaries and cause dryness. Vachadi, a compound of Acorus calamus with other herbs is one of the best remedies for the drying effect, which has no counteracting effect on the function of the nerves.
The drugs, which promote the filtration of exudated fluid, are based on a snuff made from different stimulating plants for cleaning. The medicine in the form of snuff causes sneezing. Sneezing is a kind of cleaning method for the head to flow out the exudated fluid from the nose. Pippalishrita, a compound (decoction) made of Piper longum and Acorus calamus is one of the best remedies for snuff in the treatment of migraine. Sniffing drugs, in general, are prescribed to relieve the severe headache.
The drugs, which restore the balance of the bodily systems, contain some ingredients, which promote the mutual co-ordination among the functions of the nervous system, vein system, and artery system. The function of the nervous system controls and regulates the function of the artery system and the function of the artery system controls and regulates the function of the nervous system. They have bilateral coordination. The combined functions of the nervous system and the artery system control and regulate the function of the vein system and the function of the vein system controls and regulates the functions of them. This is the mutual coordination of the three major bodily systems, which is considered as a significance of the healthy body. It is well investigated that migraine can not be cured with pain killer drugs only without such a drug which restores the balance of the three major bodily systems.
Shirashularivajrarasa, a compound of Balsamodendron mukul with other herbs is one of the best remedies for migraine for cure. It is prescribed for two to three months with the timely use of oily snuff and laxative drugs. Sadbindutaila, an oily drug made of Eclipta alba, is the best oily snuff. It has a soothing effect to control the aggravated function of the cranial nervous system, which is very important in the treatment of migraine.
Prohibited Foods
- Yogurt (curd);
- greasy foods;
- acid fruits and foods;
- milk taken together with fish or acidic fruits;
Prohibited Behaviors
- Sleeping during the day;
- awakening at night;
- walking in the early morning;
- withholding the forges of sneezing;
- overheating;
Frequently Asked Questions on Migraine
Q1: What is the fundamental cause of migraine according to Ayurveda?
Ayurveda attributes the fundamental cause of migraine to the congestion and exudation of cranial blood vessels, affecting only one side of the head. This results in blockage and impaired function of bodily passages and nerves, leading to severe headaches.
Q2: What are some common triggers for cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation?
Triggers include ear wax infection, daytime sleeping (especially in allergic individuals), exposure to cold breezes or snowy environments, suppressing sneezes during flu, and recurrent infections like conjunctivitis.
Q3: How does Ayurveda classify the morbid condition of migraine?
Ayurveda classifies the condition of migraine within the “Vata-Kapha” category, indicating a combined aggravation of the nervous system (Vata dosha) and the artery system (Kapha dosha). This classification is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Q4: What are the typical symptoms of a migraine?
The primary symptom is a sudden, severe headache affecting one side of the head. It may occur weekly or monthly and can affect the ear, temple, eye, and sinuses on either side. Associated symptoms vary depending on the underlying cause, such as ear or eye problems.
Q5: How can one prevent migraines?
Preventative measures include avoiding daytime sleep, protecting the head in cold environments, keeping ears dry during bathing or swimming, treating allergies promptly, avoiding contradictory foods (like milk with fish or acidic fruits), and maintaining regular bowel movements.
Q6: What is the general treatment approach for migraine in Ayurveda?
Treatment typically involves a combination of drugs to dilate capillaries, stop exudation, promote fluid filtration, and restore balance among the nervous, venous, and arterial systems. Specific remedies like Guggulu and Vachadi are used for their respective therapeutic effects.
Q7: Are there specific foods and behaviors to avoid for migraine sufferers?
Yes, it’s advisable to avoid yogurt, greasy foods, acidic fruits and foods, and milk with fish or acidic fruits. Prohibited behaviors include sleeping during the day, staying awake at night, walking in cold early mornings, suppressing sneezes, and overheating.
Q8: What is a key aspect of diagnosing migraines in Ayurveda?
Diagnosis focuses on identifying the specific cause of the cranial blood vessel congestion and exudation, considering factors like ear wax infections, sleeping patterns, exposure to cold, sneezing habits, and recurrent infections like conjunctivitis.
Q9: Why is it important to treat the underlying causes of migraine and not just the pain?
Treating just the pain without addressing the underlying causes can lead to recurrent headaches. Ayurveda emphasizes treating the root cause to prevent the aggravation of symptoms and potential damage to organs like the eyes and ears.
Q10: Are there specific Ayurvedic remedies recommended for migraine treatment?
Yes, Ayurveda recommends specific remedies such as Shirashularivajrarasa, Sadbindutaila, and Pippalishrita, among others. These are used to address different aspects of migraine, like capillary dilation, exudation, fluid filtration, and system balance.
Author
Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHABARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal
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