Headaches are quite common and are perhaps the first among the reactions elicited by the body in response to fever, stress, strain, nervousness, weakness and even certain infections. Infact some individuals experience it so often that they learn to live with it. However not all headaches are like, some are mitigated by house hold remedies but there are others which are stubborn enough to remain unchanged in intensity. These may suggest a chronic illness …migraine. If a patient experiences three or more headaches in a month, there are chances that he is suffering from migraine.

What is migraine

This is a condition where the blood vessels and the nerves in a specific part of the head are constricted abnormally to almost squeeze themselves up to give rise to a throbbing pain in that section of the head. This is accompanied by symptoms of nausea and vomiting. Some individuals may also experience warning signals before the pain begins in the head. These are typically in form of flashes of light or sudden darkness in front of the eyes. These signals which warn the patient of the symptoms of migraine occurring typically minutes before the headache are termed as aura. Numbness or tingling sensations may be persistent throughout the migraine attack.

Causes of migraine

A lot of people get migraines — about 11 out of 100. The headaches tend to start between the ages of 10 and 46 and may run in families. Migraines occur more often in women than men. Pregnancy may reduce the number of migraines attacks. At least 60 percent of women with a history of migraines have fewer such headaches during the last two trimesters of pregnancy.

Until the 1980s, scientists believed that migraines were due to changes in blood vessels within the brain. Today, most believe the attack actually begins in the brain itself, and involves various nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain.

A migraine attack can be triggered by stress, food, environmental changes, or some other factor. However, the exact chain of events remains unclear.

Migraine attacks may be triggered by:

• Allergic reactions
• Bright lights, loud noises, and certain odors or perfumes
• Physical or emotional stress
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Smoking or exposure to smoke
• Skipping meals
• Alcohol
• Menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills
• Tension headaches
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs, and salami)
• Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products, and fermented or pickled foods

Natural cure with Fever few

• What is Fever few

Fever few ( Tanacetum parthenium ), a member of the sunflower family, has been used for centuries in European folk medicine as a remedy for headaches, arthritis, and fevers. The term fever few is adapted from the Latin word febrifugia or “fever reducer.” Fever few products usually consist of dried fever few leaves, but all parts of the plant that grow above ground may also be used for medicinal purposes

• Can migraine be treated naturally

Fever few gained popularity in the 1980s as an alternative to conventional medications for migraine headaches. A survey of 270 migraine sufferers in Great Britain revealed that more than 70% of individuals felt substantially better after ingesting an average of two to three fresh fever few leaves daily

• Chemical composition of fever few

The most well-studied and abundant group of active compounds in fever few are the sesquiterpene lactones. Of these lactones, parthenolide is the most prominent. Many of the pharmacological effects of feverfew extracts are attributed to parthenlide which helps relieve smooth muscle spasms. In particular, it helps prevent the constriction of blood vessels in the brain (one of the leading causes of migraine headaches). Parthenolide also inhibits the actions of compounds that cause inflammation.

Tags: Ayurvedic, chinese, homeopathic, alternative, diabetes

Most children outgrow bed wetting by the age of 5 or 6 and some will be smart enough by the age of 3. Bed wetting is more common with boys than girls and it can run in the families. If I remember correctly, a cousin of mine and I were unknowingly competing to wet our respective beds at an age of 5 or 6. I was helpless and embarrassed as I heard our mothers complaining about our problem. Those days were difficult as I did not feel confidant to stay over at a relatives’ or friends’ places. My parents were concerned but they never made me feel worried or embarrassed.

Bed wetting is rather seen as a symptom than a disease. It is found that some children who have been dry for a while may start to wet the bed again without any reason. It may be due to urinary tract infection, emotional problems or a sleep disorder. However, in some children it is mainly due to a lower bladder control. Bed wetting after a few months of dry nights may indicate the child’s insecurities or fears or it may even point to its stressful toilet training. Stress, constipation and diabetes can be other medical conditions leading to Enuresis. In some kids, bed wetting lasts up to their puberty or preteen years. The sad part is that children feel ashamed of themselves for no fault of theirs.

There is no medical help for Enuresis. All you need to give the child is some reassurance and emotional support. Remember that your child is more anxious about his problem than you are.

How to help your child

1. It is wise to talk to your physician about the possible physical causes behind bedwetting. If there are none then you can take care of it at home.
2. Never think of punishing, blaming or embarrassing your child. Remember that he does not do it on purpose. In addition, happily praise or reward him on the mornings for his dry nights.
3. Limit his liquids in the night. Do not give the child much water from at least 2-3 hours before his bed time.
4. Encourage him to urinate just before going to bed.
5. Remind him to wake up after a while to empty his bladder. As a parent you can also wake up using an alarm clock to walk him to the toilet.
6. Help him change his sheets and clothes if he wet the bed.
7. If your child can wear diapers allow him to wear them. Use thick pads or rubber sheets to protect the mattress.
8. Add vinegar into the water to wash the clothing and the sheets.
9. Be patient and supportive.

Home remedies to try

• Give your child a healthy diet. If bed wetting is due to constipation give him a lot of fibre.
• Try to give the child some uncooked aval or poha (flattened rice) before going to the bed. It works as a temporary remedy if you want to stay over at a friends’ place. Poha will soak up the water inside and limit urination.
• Avoid sweets, too much of fruits, chocolate, meat, or artificial additives.
• Chewing cinnamon barks once a day.
• Eating bananas.
• Have parsley.
• Eating walnuts and raisins work for some.
• No beer (for early teens)!

Please bear in mind that all the remedies may not work for all.

When to consult a doctor

• -If your child starts wetting the bed suddenly after a few months of dry nights.
• - If he suffers from pain or burning sensation during urination.
• -If your child is wetting the bed and leaking stool.
• -If the home treatment shows no effect.

Tags: acupuncture, homeopathic, herbal, weight loss, medicine

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