The Migraine World Summit: Day 6

*This post is not sponsored by the Migraine World Summit but I am a participant in the Migraine World Summit affiliate program. This means I earn a commission from any qualifying purchases of the summit made through my link. http://www.migraineworldsummit.com/?afmc=1k

Non pharma approaches for migraine?

Every migraine patient should be taking magnesium.

-        Up to 50% of migraine patients are deficient in magnesium

-        Serum magnesium blood test is unreliable – best for everyone to try taking magnesium

Diets are often poor in nutrients. Stress and chronic illness deplete nutrients. Even if you have a very healthy diet, TAKE THE SUPPLEMENTS.

Genetic factors:

-        Vitamin deficiency

-        Not absorbing nutrients properly

-        Kidney problems – mag deficient

 Which supplements are good for migraine?

-        Magnesium

-        CoQ10

-        Vitamin B2

-        Vitamin B12

-        Feverfew

-        Frankincense

Magnesium:

-        Only helpful if deficient, you have a bout a 50% chance that it will help

-        Some people are unable to absorb it properly and need an injection

-        400mg per day. Some take this dose twice a day.

-        Take it with food. Don’t take with calcium.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

-        Cold hands

-        Night cramps

-        PMS

-        Brain fog

-        Palpitations

Ribolfavin?

-        Vitamin B2

-        Trial – took 3 months to work

-        Makes your urine turn bright yellow

-        Not to be used in pregnancy

CoQ10?

-        1/3 migraine patients are deficient

-        Effective if deficient

-        Harder to tell if deficient usually best to just try

-        100 – 300mg daily dose

-        Best to take in morning as can give people energy

Butterbur?

-        150 mg better than placebo

-        Toxic as plant

-        UK and Germany don’t allow product

Feverfew?

-        Grow your own

-        Eat in in a salad or add to tea

-        Very safe

-        Its very effective for some patients

-        Good to get it from Germany as they are very rigorous in their manufacturing protocols

Ginger?

-        Anti-inflammatory spice

-        Ginger capsules for anti-nausea

 Should we introduce the supplements one at a time?

-        If clear there is a mag deficiency then best to start there

-        Add a few at a time just don’t start them all on the same day

Swedish study: 40,000 migraine patients. Frequency of exercise up – less headaches.

3 groups of patients

1)     Topamax

2)     Relaxation

3)     Exercise

All 3 groups did equally well at reducing migraine.

Magnesium can be very dangerous if you have poor kidneys.

People can have allergies to supplements too so something to consider.

Pregnancy- avoid any herbal supplements

How to approach non pharma options with your Doctor?

-        Come prepared to appointment. Bring the scientific paper as evidence for why you want to try something.

“You have many options and may don’t involve medications”.

Neuroplasticity

-        Our brains are wired to change

-        Activities we engage in can strengthen or weaken these circuits

Mindfulness

-        Intentional practice

-        Paying attention to present moment without judgement

Focusses attention

-        Focus on breath

-        When thoughts/emotions arise. Notice them, acknowledge them and then let them go.

-        Non-judgmental and focus on breathing

Open monitoring

-        Tuning into other sensations

-        Being aware without appraising them

-        Takes practice to be able to learn to do it

How does mediation change the brain?

-        SNS (fight or flight) vs PNS (calm) – mindfulness enhances our parasympathetic nervous system.

-        Neuroimaging during meditation: the areas of the brain that light up; emotional regulation, concentration and attention.

-        Brains of meditators have differences to non-meditators. Hard to tell if they are born with it or there are changes in the brain due to meditation itself.

-        Change the structure of the brain – mindfulness – focussed intended practice – not relaxation

Stress is the number one reported trigger for migraine

Stress has two parts:

1)     Our perception of the stressor

2)     Our response to the stressor

Let down stress linked to migraines – the change in level of cortisol.

Mindfulness meditation & chronic pain research?

-        Global research

-        May help people relate to headache and improve disability associated to headaches

-        Emotional control

-        New York study looking at mindfulness – changes in disability – decreased disability

-        Pilot study – stress reduction – improvement in headache duration

-        Italy – study with CM patients with 20+ headache days & MOH. 2 groups (1) meds, 2) mindfulness). Both groups reduced severity, frequency and intensity of attacks. Not randomized study so potential bias.