(12-09-12) Neurology experts make herbal recommendations to migraine sufferers

by Raw Michelle

(NaturalNews) Headaches are a problem for many Americans. Over 45 million
people struggle with migraines, or headaches caused by physical tension or
stress. For some, it presents a barrier to normal functioning. Many regularly
find themselves in enough pain to warrant missed work, and even days of
isolation. Common effects of the problem include visual disturbances, pain,
nausea, and sensitivity to sound. The American Academy of Neurology and the
American Headache Society have joined forces in an attempt to address this
growing problem. They specifically focused on the mediation of migraine
headaches

45 million sufferers, and no clear cause
Migraines are unique among headaches. While understanding of how body
responses ultimately end up resulting in a migraine is still unclear, there
have been many speculated causes and a wide range of preceding events that are
suspected triggers. In some schools of thought, engorged blood vessels in the
brain cause the nerves that surround them to flood the brain with pain signals.
However, the dilation is typically offset from the migraine pain itself by over
an hour, casting doubt on the idea that this mechanism is working alone. Many
people who suffer from migraines experience no vascular changes.

Hormonal changes present themselves as a prominent possible trigger, but other
suspects on the list include diet or problems with environmental pathogens,
such as allergens. The possibility of dietary causes doesn't exclude the
influence of hormones. Animal proteins, like meat, eggs and dairy, are often
saturated with elevated hormone levels, which the animals are fed to speed up
their growth. Other food sources that people may not be aware of can cause
significant hormonal impacts as well. Consumption of soy, for example, greatly
impacts the hormonal functioning of many people. The plant produces isoflavones
that the human body has difficulty discerning from its own estrogens.

Sir, there's a neurologist in my garden
Top on the list of recommended complimentary therapies, these headache
authorities are suggesting the use of the butterbur plant. The herb, also known
as sweet coltsfoot, has been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for both
headaches and inflammation. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, the
plant has also been used as an antihistamine, against environmental allergens
like those that cause hay fever.

In clinical trials, the extract of the plant has been demonstrated to impact
the duration and the intensity of headaches. Its effectiveness competes easily
with the top prescription drugs relied on for migraine relief. The plant, in
its raw form; however, contains alkaloids that can be toxic to the liver and
kidneys, and care should be taken to remove these threats during preparation.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.sacbee.com
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18502781
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/84/10/3479.full.pdf

News

---

In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.