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Sandra Kim Leong
Sandra Kim Leong provides free research and special reports in her newsletter on
Detox Diet.
For the migraine sufferer, the pain can cause much disability and suffering. A darkened and isolated room is a refuge that can bring much comfort. However, this may mean missing out on the day's events with friends and family or a day at work. Missed hours can contribute to more stress and depression especially in the absence of support from closed ones. This does not help the migraine sufferer as more stress can bring on more headache pains. A visious cycle indeed.
If you have a loved one who is a migraine sufferer and wish to help him or her, the first thing you can do is to first understand the migraine condition. Understanding its nature and cause can lead you to understand what treatment options there are.
Migraine headache is a neurobiological disorder of the brain. The level of pain is described as moderate to severe. This is in contrast to tension headaches (the level of pain not considered to be as intense).
Migraine headache is typically known as a vascular headache. Vascular headache is caused by the widening and narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. There can be several factors triggering a vascular headache or migraine headache.
Serotonin is a neurotransmiter in the brain that can constribt blood vessels and stimulate pain receptors. Changes in the serotonin levels affect the widening and narrowing of blood vessels.
There is currently no exact explanation as to why some people are more sensitive and tend to experience these wide flucatuations in serotonin levels. Inherited genes from their parents play a part but there are also many migraine sufferers whose parents have no known disorder. Knowing that the migraine sufferer is suffering from a legitimate brain disorder can help you to understand that your loved one is not merely giving you excuses for feeling sick.
With no real cure for the migraine sufferer, what you can do is to help the migraine sufferer in managing the triggers that bring about a severe headache.
For instance, you can more support and compassion for his or her condition. Stress has been quoted often as a major factor resulting in migraines. In addition, he or she is going through a great deal of pain from the migraine itself. Do not add more stress and pressure. Give him or her time to recover. Help by taking the kids out or keeping the place quiet.
Next, encourage the migraine sufferer to take responsibility and not to let his or headache rule the events of the day. Refer to the Natural Headache Remedies for ideas on what therapies or ideas can be useful and for coping strategies.
Also, encourage the migraine sufferer to join support groups. Check out what groups are available in your community. Where none exists, visit online forums and make friends via the internet.
Letting the migraine sufferer know that he or she is not alone and that there is a community of support, would most certainly help to bring great relief. Once he or she is on the road to recovery and health, you will feel that all your lives are enriched with more happiness.
Published by Sandra Kim Leong on July 8, 2006 09:14 PM
