Only those who suffer from migraine know how painful it is. You can’t think, you can’t work, and you just can’t function. The only thing you feel like doing is pulling out all your hair in desperation, hoping that somehow that throbbing in your head would stop.

Migraines are severe, recurring, and painful headaches, usually one-sided and are often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and/or intolerance to light or sound. The paralyzing nature of migraines, often disrupt normal daily activities. They affect the quality of your life, your performance in school, work and personal life too.

What causes Migraine headache?

The exact cause of migraine is still a mystery, many possible theories are put forth but none are able to establish concrete basis of migraine causation.

There are multiple factors that can trigger Migraine in susceptible people:

1. Environmental: : These include aspects such as high temperatures, high level of humidity, high intensity light, varying weather conditions, etc
2. Lifestyle: Poor food practice like skipping meals, often fasting, overwhelming particular types of cheese, chocolates, food with Monosodium glutamate, or fermented foods, can cause Migraine.
3. Genetic: Research has proved that about 90% Migraine are due to genetics, that is, have a family member who is also a sufferer.
4. Nervous disorder: If a person is suffering from neurological disorder like Epilepsy or Alzheimer, then there is high chance of Migraine triggering.
5. Abnormality in brain: Abnormality of chemicals present in the brain, like serotonin, is a common phenomenon with the kind of lifestyle we head now. This can be another reason for triggering a Migraine.
6. Medications: Occasionally chemical composition of certain medications may not go well for some of the body nature.
7. Sensory stimuli: Migraine can sometimes be triggered with bright lights, too loud sounds; particular types of smells from perfumes, cigarettes or even paint can trigger off the pain.

Types of Migraine

There are two main types of migraine. This classification depends on whether the individual experiences or not, any warning signs in the form of disturbances of the senses leading up to a migraine. These are known as auras.

Migraine with aura

For many people with migraine, the auras act as a warning signs, telling them that a headache is soon to come. The effects of an aura can include:

• confusing thoughts or experiences
• the perception of strange, sparkling or flashing lights
• zig-zagging lines in the visual field
• blind spots or blank patches in the vision
• pins and needles in an arm or leg
• difficulty speaking
• stiffness in the shoulders, neck, or limbs
• unpleasant smells etc

Migraine without aura

More commonly, a person will experience a migraine without any sensory disturbance leading up to the attack. Around 70 and 90 % of migraines happen without an aura.

Other types

There are other types of migraine related to specific syndromes or triggers, including:

• Chronic migraine: This refers to any migraine that triggers attacks on over 15 days of the month.
• Menstrual migraine: This is when the attacks occur in a pattern connected to the menstrual cycle.
• Hemiplegic migraine: This causes weakness on one side of the body for a temporary period.
• Abdominal migraine: This is a syndrome that connects migraine attacks to irregular function in the gut and abdomen. It mainly occurs in children under 14 years of age,
• Migraine with brain stem aura: This is a rare type of migraine that can trigger severe neurological symptoms, such as affected speech.

Different phases of Migraine

Migraines have four distinct phases: Prodrome, Aura, Headache, Postdrome. Not everyone will experience a headache in these 4 phases and the duration and nature of each phase differs in every individual. The part most people are familiar with is the third phase, which is the most painful.

Symptoms of Migraine

Migraines occur most often in adults between the ages of 25 and 55, and they are three times more common in women than men. Although not all migraines are the same, typical symptoms include:

• Moderate to severe pain, usually confined to one side of the head but capable of occurring on either side of the head
• Severe, throbbing, or pulsing pain
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Increasing pain during physical activity or when straining
• Inability to perform regular activities due to pain
• Feeling sick and physically vomiting
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound, relieved by lying quietly in a darkened room

Some people experience other symptoms such as sweating, temperature changes, stomach ache, and diarrhea.

The impact of migraine

People with chronic migraines report a lower quality of life. They often have sleep troubles, miss days at work and school because of headaches, land up backing out of social engagements often and tend to have lesser energy and zest than those who do not suffer from migraines. So large is the effect of chronic migraine on some people that they actually live in worry and fear of the next attack. They tend to curb their activities, eat cautiously or be on the edge in anticipation of a migraine attack.

It is almost like they are unable to live their life to the fullest. Their relationships also tend to suffer because of this ailment. Their partners, family members and friends often feel irritated or annoyed by this health problem. Stress and misunderstandings build-up in relationships when the other partner in unable to understand the severity of the ailment and it also affects the spontaneity in relationships. Occasionally, if the migraines are too severe, it can even push the person towards developing depression.

How to prevent Migraine?

The Migraine headache may last for about 4 hrs to 72 hrs. It is episodic and can get as recurrent as occurring every day.

• Identify the triggering factors and try to stay away from them.
• Try to keep your blood sugar levels normal. Have small meals throughout the day and avoid staying hungry for long duration of time.
• Stays hydrated and drink enough water throughout the day as dehydration can trigger Migraine.
•  Get optimum sleep and try maintaining a sleep routine.
• Inculcate healthy eating habits such as consuming carbohydrate-rich, sumptuous breakfast daily, avoiding fermented foods, etc.

How to get rid of Migraine?

The commonly prescribed drugs can only prevent the symptoms like pain, nausea, sensitivity to light etc. The common side effects due to these drugs are fatigue, weight gain, sleepiness, loss of libido (sexual drive), depression etc.

Homeopathy for Migraine

Homeopathy has proved very effective in the treatment of migraine headaches. A Patient will experience that the frequency and intensity of migraine headache decreases, those who are previously dependent on pain killers could manage without them. Regular follow ups and adherence to the directions have often resulted in complete cure of migraine with homeopathy treatment in our experience.

In homeopathy there are more than 200 medicines indicated for migraine headache, the selection of medicine in each individual patient depends on individualistic or unique symptoms. The homeopathy remedies are safe, gentle and are made from natural resources and can be given to people of all age groups – from infants to elderly.

Watch our video on Migraine- Migraine-how to get relief by Dr Tejaswi.

Dr. Tejaswi K.P.Reader- Dept. of Surgery 
Bhagwan Buddha Homeo Medical college 
Mallathalli Bangalore
Consultanat- Surabhi Homeo clinic, Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore-97
Mob-97311 33819 Email-drtejas2000@rediffmail.com

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Is your child falling sick frequently? Do you have to visit your child’s pediatrician frequently? You are right; there can be problem in your child’s immune system. Immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it yields to the invader, that is, a germ which when gains entry makes you sick.

We see often that children are the victims of such a weak immune system; it may be partially due to the incomplete development of their immune system. There are so many other factors which contribute to lowering of immune system and that causes your child to fall sick often. Many parents have a misconception that giving healthy food, vaccinating their child, hygienic measures, immediate medical care can keep their child healthy and immune against any diseases.

Why then are children who are always protected against cold, rain, dirt, who are  grown in ultra clean surroundings, in houses with clean floors, where air purified and conditioned (A.C) , kept away from germs as much as possible and are given best possible and immediate medical care, frequently fall sick and need frequent medical care, compared to those children who are devoid of all such facilities, who live in rural areas, who in contrary expose themselves to rain & cold winds, play and roll in mud and hardly use hand wash, thus exposed to lot of germs  still remain healthy ??

Don’t you think we are preventing the child’s body to develop a strong immune system which is only possible by repeated exposures to germs, bad weather etc?

Development of Immune system in child:

1. Mainly two types of immune system, Innate & Adaptive start developing during fetal life itself; the immune components are transmitted through placenta during fetal life and through mother’s milk during infancy. The immune system of the baby keeps maturing at different stages.

2. In childhood, the immune system is not fully developed, so the child is prone to get frequent infections.

Role of Vaccinations:

1. Immunity is also provided through vaccination, the basic vaccines like Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Polio vaccine, DPT vaccine etc sensitize baby’s immune system against those infectious diseases for which they are given.

2. Too many vaccines are added these days, and a question arises, by giving so many vaccines are we not weakening body’s own immune system? If you feed everything from outside how does body’s immune system develop?

3. The adverse effects of certain vaccines are still debated in developed countries.

What hampers your child’s immunity?

1. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroids: In countries like India where over the counter (OTC) medicines are easily available and so many quack (unqualified) doctors prescribe antibiotics and steroidal medicines, immunity is at great risk.

2. Ultra clean environments, extreme hygienic measures, over protection of children against germs, cold, sunny, rainy climates, too much hand washing (Bunti Tera hand wash slow hai kya?)  Etc can weaken the immune system of children.

3. There are studies done by American scientists and Harvard medical school researchers which state that ; Asthma, eczema, hay fever and childhood diabetes are all being fuelled at childhood in which youngsters rarely roll in the mud, splash in puddles or play with animals.

4. It is said that without exposure to dirt and germs early in life, the immune system doesn’t learn how to control its reaction to everyday invaders such as dust and pollen.

5. Asthma, eczema, hay fever and diabetes is being fuelled by indoor lifestyles

Role of Homeopathy in building Healthy Immune system:

1. Homeopathy helps in building healthy immune system by augmenting the body’s own defenses. The homeopathic medicines are both considerably smaller and safer in dose and more individualized to the person they are being used to treat.

2. Although homeopathic medicines are thought to stimulate the body’s own defenses, how they do so remains a mystery. One study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology showed that a homeopathic medicine, Silicea, stimulated macrophages (macrophages are a part of the body’s immune system which engulfs bacteria and foreign substances). How or why Silicea was able to have this action or why exceedingly small doses of it are so active is unknown.

3. Homeopathy is a gentle yet effective healing system of medicine which doesn’t interfere with body’s natural immune system but it strengthens it.

4. Thus homeopathy helps in protecting and strengthening the natural immune system of the child, so that the child’s body itself develops the ability to fend off or fight against the infectious germs and diseases.

How to strengthen Immunity?

Parents should understand that, as the child grows its immune system is conditioned (designed) according to the threats (germs, bad weather, infectious diseases) it faces. These threats act as stimulants to the immune system to grow accordingly. It is just like a new car which has to overcome the challenges before it is Okayed, before it is launched in the market. The designing engineer has to modify, redesign the car, trial run has to be conducted many times till the car is able to overcome all the threats or challenges. In a similar way child’s immune system gets modified, redesigned only after repeated attacks of infections in childhood.

1. Avoid keeping children too clean, bringing them up only in ultra clean, indoor based life styles can wreak their immune system.

2. Allow your child to play out door, let them walk bare footed, play in mud.

3. Don’t restrict them indoors, even though there is cold weather, sun or rain, allow them to play at least for some time.

4. Let them get some sun: moderate sun exposure is essential for synthesis of Sunshine vitamin (Vit-D) which is very much essential for growth of bones and also helps in development of immunity.

5. Mother’s milk is the best: The formula foods can’t replace breast milk; mother’s milk is rich in immune components, essential nutrients which are must for the healthy development of child’s immune system.

6. Making child drink ultra filtered and boiled water is not good, such children get frequent stomach upsets, diarrhea.

7. Avoid giving junk foods, over feeding the child etc….

8. Don’t worry if you are child has lost few kilograms and jump into giving all the supplements, tinned foods. Don’t go by the advertisements. Remember nothing can replace naturally available food.

Dr. Tejaswi K.P.
Reader- Dept. of Surgery, Bhagwan Buddha Homeo Medical college, Mallathalli, Bangalore

Surabhi Homeo clinic, No 823, 6th Main 7th Cross, BEL layout, Vidyaranyapura, Bangalore-97
Mob-97311 33819    Email: drtejas2000@rediffmail.com

The post How to build a healthy immune system in your child? appeared first on Health Vision.