Don't Tolerate Migraines!

Migraine headaches are often debilitating.  They are also extremely common in the United States. Estimates vary between 10-20% of the population suffer from this condition, costing consumers approximately $12.7 billion a year in medical costs (with another $12 billion in lost work days!). Migraineurs lose valuable work and family time, have increased stress levels, and are at double the risk of a heart attack versus people who do not get migraines.

Many people manage their migraines through either polypharmacy (multiple drugs), or understanding the triggers associated with their particular headaches. Chocolate, stress, lack of sleep, alcohol, caffeine, bright sunlight, menses, and barometric changes are all possible triggers. But knowing the a trigger and addressing the cause are not the same thing. Once the cause is addressed, former migraine sufferers can tolerate their previous triggers, without medication,  and live life fully, without the constant threat of severe pain.

At Insights to Health, we categorize migraines into one of the following causes: 

Head Injury: One of the most common causes of migraines is previous head trauma. Between 1.5-3.5 million people each year sustain an injury that could later cause migraine headaches. Even minor bumps on the head or whiplash injuries can add up and lead to headaches later in life. 

Female Hormonal: Imbalances in a women's hormonal cycle can lead to headaches that appear either right before or during menses. 

Liver Imbalance:  Many women present as if they have a hormonal imbalance but in fact have a functional liver issue that allows for build-up of estrogen and progesterone so that cycles are skewed. 

Gastrointestinal: What may look like a liver problem may actually be a GI issue in that the wrong foods are being eaten and there is an imbalance of the healthy flora in the body. 

Cardiovascular: Another cause can be related to the heart and/or the arterial system creating changes in pressure. Generally in this type of migraine, the pain doesn't come on when stressed but rather when there is a chance to relax. These people get migraines on the weekend in many cases, or on vacation. 

Hormonal: Finally, other hormonal imbalances such as in the adrenals, thyroid, or pancreas can create imbalances in the body that lead to migraines appearing. 

To be sure there are other causes but the point is that discerning the triggers, and, eventually, the underlying cause of migraines is important, since the imbalances that cause the headaches persist and have the potential to affect other systems in the body.  Merely treating symptoms does little to change the underlying course of disease.  To achieve optimum health, all the systems of the body must be harmonized. Having an experienced doctor to guide you through the process will allow you to learn what factors create wellness for you as an individual, so that you may be at your best at work and at home.  (Please forward to a friend--button on left margin.)