Anyone who suffers from frequent migraine headaches knows how painful and unbearable they can be. These headaches can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days if no form of treatment is used. The headache can also be accompanied by other conditions which include vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and mental confusion. Researchers have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of migraine headaches as the symptoms, source and severity varies between individuals. Studies have shown that the condition could be hereditary and that it is neurologically based and believed to be influenced by changes in the dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.

Sources of Migraine Headache Relief

There is no known cure for migraine headaches, so most treatments are either preventative in nature or lessen the pain caused by the headache. There are a number of prescription, over-the-counter and natural remedies available, but the effectiveness of these treatments also vary by individual, source, and the severity of the headache. Some of the more common forms of over-the-counter treatments can be effective for individuals who suffer only occasional migraines or migraines that are less severe in nature and include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketoprofen. For frequent migraine headache sufferers, doctors will often prescribe more than one form of treatment. They may prescribe a preventative form of treatment as well as a pain reliever. Some of the more popular medications are in the form of anti-depressants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and anti-convulsants.

Natural Migraine Headache Relief

Recent research and studies have found that natural remedies for migraine headache relief have proven to be effective because they often deal with the condition at the source. Researchers have found that the herb Feverfew, when used regularly, greatly reduced both the frequency and intensity of severe migraines.

Studies have also shown that a number of other natural remedies are effective treatments if the source of the migraine headaches is known. Some cases of migraine headaches have been found to originate at the liver in response to dietary and environmental toxins. In these cases, Milk Thistle, an herb commonly used as a liver tonic, has proven to be an effective treatment in most patients. Migraine headaches can also be caused by anxiety and stress. In these cases, the herb Passiflora can be used to reduce or eliminate these causes, thus serving as a preventative remedy for migraine headaches. Many migraines are known to be caused by changes in hormone levels (dopamine and serotonin, as mentioned earlier) and both Black Cohosh and Don Quai are herbs used to maintain normal levels of these and other hormones. Another common source of migraine headaches is tension in the muscles and nervous system which often lead to the throbbing pain that is generally felt by migraine sufferers. In these cases, herbs such as Chamomilla, Mag Phos and Kali Phos can be used to calm the nerves and reduce the muscle tension.

The main advantage of using a natural remedy is that it is safe method and can be used without worry of causing harmful side effects that are common in most of the prescription medications that are often prescribed by doctors. In cases where the cause of the headaches is unknown, trying a different herbal remedy in each occurrence can be used to help determine the source of the migraines while at the same time, improving overall health. Frequent migraine headache sufferers who have been unable to find relief using over-the-counter and prescription drugs, may just find the relief they are looking for by trying appropriate herbal and homeopathic remedies containing these healing herbs.

Author Bio: Brought to you as a courtesy from the natural headache relief center, a member of the migraine headache treatment network.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: natural remedies, migraine headaches, medical treatments, health conditions