A migraine
headache is a form of headache which
is typically considered the most intense and
disabling.
Migraines are
chronic in nature, meaning that they happen
often for the individual that is affected.
Typically Migraines are one sided in
nature, meaning that the pain is felt on one
side of the head.
Migraine Symptoms
Looking at
the symptoms of
migraine headaches
can be a little overwhelming and not make a
lot of sense at first. The list looks like:
- Pain -
Moderate to severe on one or both sides of
the head
- Throbbing -
Some pain may throb, almost like the heart
pulse, but on its own rhythm
- Vomiting
- Photophobia
- Fear of, or dislike of light
- Phonophobia
- Fear of, or dislike of sound
- Pain may be
worse with movement
A traditional
migraine, often referred to as
a migraine with aura, is preceded by a
group of specific symptoms called aura, most
commonly experienced as a visual disturbance
(sense the term aura). Common migraine
or migraine without aura, in contrast,
lacks this specific warning. Many migraine
patients will experience a prodrome, a vague
sensation that things are just not right that
may precede the headache by several hours.
Although sometimes comparable in severity,
the symptoms of migraine differ from
those of cluster headache.
Alternative Medicine and Migraines
When one
looks at the Oriental Medical breakup of
headaches, migraine symptoms start to
make a lot more sense. In this system,
migraine symptoms can be broken down by
location, type of pain, amelioration and
aggravation. Then, diagnosis can be made in
relation to the organ systems or the
channels affected. Lets look at how some of
these symptoms might break down.
Location of Pain in Migraine
Headaches
- Top of the
head - The liver channel reaches the top
of the head. This type of headache is most
often related to "a deficient liver blood
state" but can also relate to "liver yang
rising" which is an excess state. The
difference being that if excess, the
headache would be aggravated by lying
down, but if deficient, would get relief
from lying down.
- Sides of
the Head
- Only One
Sided - This relates to the "Gall
Bladder" channel, and headaches here are
either due to "Liver Yang Rising" or
"Liver Fire"
- Temples
- This again is typically thought of as
due to a disturbance in the "Gall
Bladder" channel, and as such, can be
either caused by "Liver Yang, "Liver
Fire" or "Liver Wind." This location
shows pain that is often throbbing in
nature.
- Behind
the Eyes - This is a very frequent
location for migraine. This type of
headache is often due to "Liver Blood
Deficiency."
- Forehead -
Headaches here are usually related to the
"stomach."
- Back of
the Head - Here, headaches are usually due
to a "Kidney Deficiency" manifesting on
the "Bladder Channel."
- Whole Head
- Chronic Headaches n this area are due to
"Kidney - Essence deficiency. They are not
typically scene as migraines.
Types
of Pain in Migraine Headaches:
- Dull
Headache - A headache is due to one of the
deficiencies outlined above
- Feeling of
Heaviness - This is characteristic of
"Dampness" or "Phlegm"
- Distending
Pain - Typically a migraine symptom of
"Liver Yang" or "Liver Fire."
|
