Migraine suffers beware. How many of you reach for the advil or even stronger pain killers when you're experiencing a migraine? Like most of my patients, probably all of you. Little do people realize that this habit may be making your migraines worse. It's a little phenomena called rebound headaches and I learned about this way back in first year university psychology.
Essentially what happens is that a person reaches for the pain killer upon the start of the migraine, which helps, but if you're a chronic sufferer, your body habituates to the drug. For those of you who watch "House, MD" on tv, you'll notice his addiction to Vicodin. Migraine sufferers will find that they need more and more of the painkillers as the headaches come more frequently and with greater intensity. Rebound headaches can even arise the next day for some unlucky few. For some this leads to a state called chronic migraine, where these sufferers are in pain more days than not. Can't be fun!
What can be done?
Lack of sleep, food triggers and stress all play a role. Qualified health care practitioners can help you determine if any foods are the culprit. Everyone's different so it's not a cookie cutter approach like the general recommendations made to avoid tyramine containing foods. Herbs, acupuncture and general naturopathic health guidelines will help as well.
Ian Koo, ND
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Essentials Health Centre
"The care you want, the health you need"
1 comment:
Naturopathic approach to health care helps prevent disease and keeps minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic degenerative diseases. Its true in my case I found naturopathy to be of great add to help me to address my migraine problem. Dr. Agolli introduce me to it and now I can live a normal pain free life.
For any query visit him http://www.doctorgezagolli.com
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