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Migraine control and prevention
My partner is 33, male and healthy apart from getting migraines. There seems to be no obvious cause and no regular pattern. What can he take and how can he control an attack once it starts?
The immediate cause of a migraine headache is a constriction and then a swelling of the arteries that supply the brain. Why this should suddenly happen between the ages of 10 and 30, and why these headaches are three times more common in women than men is anybody’s guess, although abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin have been identified in sufferers.
There is strong evidence if a genetic risk - if one parent is a sufferer then a child has a 40% chance of getting migraines too - but they can also disappear, as suddenly as they started, in middle age which for those who are still suffering is one good reason to look forward to celebrating your half century.
Both homeopathy and herbalism get good results with migraines. Farmacia’s Migraine Mix , for example, is a combination herbal tincture that also contains chamomile. It costs £8 for 100ml. Take 100 drops, three times a day when you have an attack. Feverfew has an excellent track record in keeping migraines at bay when taken daily. It can take up to a month to kick in so you need to persevere and take 50 drops of a tincture with your breakfast each morning. A tincture costs £6 for 100ml. To mail order both these from Farmacia call 0207-831 0830 and add £1.50 p&p
A simple remedy which I use for headaches, including migraines, is called Mi-Gon. Formulated by the same husband-and-wife team, David and Margaret Evans, who make the wonderful SK Cream for eczema, it is a roll-on aromatherapy stick. It contains sweet basil and peppermint oils, which both work as analgesics. You roll it on the temples and the relief, when it works, is instant.
David devised the formula to treat his own migraines and was able to reduce his drug intake by 80% within a year. Mi-Gon costs £9.50, which includes p&p. To order call 01526-832491. There is only one line, so please be patient. Do not use it if pregnant.