Migraine,
are we getting closer to a cure?

Migraine cast a large dark cloud over my childhood. My mother was a frequent sufferer from the curse of migraine headaches, and, being the eldest of six children I was required to nurse and care for her as well as clean the house and cook for the family. Being a 9-10 year old this was no fun at all.

Over the years I developed the ability to recognise the early onset of a headache in my mother. I became used to the absolute need for quiet in the house, her room being completely dark for years, and the helplessness I felt because there was nothing I could do to help her get over it.

This caring I found to be very difficult as my father was working away from home a lot at that time, and as I had five younger brothers and sisters, I had to step up.

As time passed the attacks that Mum suffered became spread out and did not last as long as they had done. She found that there appeared to be certain foods that triggered the attacks so she avoided them; some Doctor’s gave her treatment, which worked sometimes.

From my observations I became to appreciate that if Mum had good meals and was physically active she did not appear to get many headaches.

From my later studies and reading I have learnt many things about this illness.

Migraine is described as a neurological syndrome, which shows itself by inflicting severe painful headaches, and nausea on the victim. Typically migraine headaches will affect many more women than men, and, lasts between 4 and 72 hours. Not only does it create a severe pulsating pain, it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, plus the victims are not able to stand loud noises and light.

The exact cause of this illness is still not known today although many theories exist making it very difficult to control and treat. There is a lot of research going on worldwide into the causes and treatment of this debilitating illness; and the answer is still to be found.

Some sufferers have recorded the events of an attack and are able to recognise the early symptoms of an attack thereby are able to take measures that will lessen the severity and length of the attacks.



The signs and symptoms that an attack is on its way vary among the patients and therefore not all or any of them may occur. It is generally recognised that there are four steps of an attack of this nature, but, they are not necessarily experienced by all sufferers.

• The first may consist of unexplained euphoria; altered mood; irritability; fatigue; craving for certain foods (a wish for chocolate is common) yawning, excessive sleepiness; stiff muscles; diarrhea or constipation; other changes to the bodies function.
• About 30 percent of suffers experience a strange light, sound, or, smells before the onset of the pain.
• The pain could last from 4 hour to 72 hours.
• The patient, having been through an attack may for some time afterwards suffer from slight nausea, loss of appetite. In fact very much as if the attack still persists, but the effects are very much reduced. This condition can last for days.

As it has not been found that which causes the attack, it follows that there is no cure (yet) for migraine attacks. However, there are several things that a patient can do that will assist in lessening the effects of the attacks.

An example, study has shown that most Coeliac (celiac) sufferers also experience migraine attacks and once this is recognised and the patient develops gluten free diet with the help of their health professional, the migraine attacks lessen and disappear. This does not work for all victims.

If you suffer from migraines don’t put up with it. Keep a diary of everything you eat and drink, and I mean everything. Keep it every day even when you are well, note any changes in your body and health all the way through an attack and afterwards. Do this for as long as you can, working with your health professional showing them what you have recorded, this will help them immensely in working out what treatment may work for you. Keep the recording going through the medication period.

To overcome this illness may take a while and will involve many changes on your part, changes to your lifestyle, your eating habits, your occupation, maybe, even where you live.

I believe that adherence to a nutritious diet together with a reasonably active lifestyle will help to avoid, or lessen this illness.

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