Migraines

Migraines are not just headaches—they may involve headache pain but are usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Auras sensation

• Light or sound sensitivity

• Blurred vision

• Numbness and tingling

• Nausea or vomiting

• Seeing spots, flashing lights or unusual lines

• Unusual sense of smell, taste or touch

They are more common in women than in men, affecting approximately 1 in 5 women compared to 1 in 15 men. This may be due to hormonal changes in women.

Typically triggers can be caused by:

• Metabolic fluctuations such as imbalances with blood glucose or insulin.

• Mitochondrial dysfunction due to impaired energy production.

• Hormonal fluctuations particularly with oestrogen. It is more common to occur before menstruation or during perimenopause.

• Stress whether caused by emotion or physical stress.

• Histamine sensitivity: as these can increase inflammatory processes and worsen symptoms.

• Changes in weather such as barometric (air) pressure.

• Sensory stimuli.

• Changes in sleeping patterns.

Clients can often manage their pain with

• Coenzyme q10 supplementation: Metabolic disturbances such as deficiencies in energy metabolism appear to be involved in migraine development.

• Magnesium: Individuals who suffer from recurrent migraines appear to have lower magnesium levels and supplementation has been shown to reduce the frequency of attacks.

• B vitamins, particularly B1, B6, and B12 have been proposed for controlling chronic pain with studies suggesting they can reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks.

• Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA): Migraines worsen due to nerve inflammation from immune cell activation. PEA may help by calming this response, reducing pain sensitivity.