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Birmingham, United Kingdom
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for stopping by. I hope you find it informative, and if there is anything I have missed or you would like me to talk about please drop me a line of suggestion. After seeing a nutritional therapist I decided from the improvement of my own health that I would like to be there in the same way for others, therefore, I studied two degrees; one in Nutritional Therapy and another in Bioscience Nutrition so that i could be equipped to support a number of health conditions. I now work for a supplement company on a clinical team supporting practitioners and keeping upto date with all new scientific information and provide private consultations too aswel as keeping my blog going :)

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Friday 27 September 2013

Menaced by Migraines?

The dreaded migraine always seems to attack at the worst time, and often the symptoms occur very quickly. Everyone has a different experience of migraine, but it is usually an intense throbbing headache at the front or side of the head accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. The two most common types of migraine are the common migraine and classic migraine. The difference being classic migraine includes aura, which is when you get a warning sign before the migraine begins, such as stiffness, visual problems and tingling limbs.

Possible causes and triggers:
Hormonal Havoc - In women, oestrogen fluctuation two days before menstruation can trigger migraines. In both men and women, another hormone called serotonin may have a role to play in causing a migraine. Serotonin is generally associated with a good mood and happiness, but in excess it can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain, and has been linked to migraine.

Gut Problems and Immune System - Overgrowth of bad bacteria and fungi in the gut can result in a heavy load of toxins that can sometimes lead to migraine. If the immune system is low, the body finds it difficult to fight off such overgrowth.

Food Intolerances and Other Culprits - Foods such as alcohol, nuts, fatty foods, fermented sauces, aged cheese and processed foods containing tyramine, can trigger migraines. Migraines can also be triggered by caffeine, citrus fruits, onions, monosodium glutamate, aspartame and sodium nitrate. Each sufferer of migraine has different triggers so it is important to avoid cutting out all of the above foods, but keep a food diary to identify the worst culprits.

How you can help yourself:

Reduce Inflammation and Promote Circulation - Try using Ginkgo biloba which also supports general concentration and mind function.

Relaxation - Magnesium can help to relax the nervous system so include magnesium rich foods such as beans, seeds, bananas, wholegrain foods and avocado in your diet. You should also try yoga or meditation, as evidence suggests that they can help with migraine.

Balance Your Hormones - Plants can help to balance hormones, so women should include foods rich in phyto-oestrogens such as sage, hops and alfalfa.

Support the Gut - A healthy gut is important to minimise the risk of migraine. Coconut, rose water, garlic and oregano act as natural antibiotics against bad bacteria and fungi. In addition, probiotics may also help.

Have a healthy week,


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