A Migraine headache is a throbbing or pulsating headache that is often one sided (unilateral) and associated with nausea; vomiting; sensitivity to light, sound, and smells; sleep disruption; and depression. 

Migraines are classified according to the symptoms they produce. The two most common types are Migraine with Aura and Migraine without Aura. 

Some women experience migraine headaches just prior to or during menstruation. These headaches, which are called Menstrual Migraines, may be related to hormonal changes and often do not occur during pregnancy. Other women develop migraines for the first time during pregnancy or after menopause. 

Migraines may occur at any age, but usually begin between the ages of 10 and 40 and diminish after age 50. Some people experience several migraines a month, while others have only a few migraines throughout their lifetime. Approximately 75% of Migraine sufferers are women. 

The cause of migraine is unknown. The condition may result from a series of reactions in the central nervous system caused by changes in the body or in the environment. There is often a family history of the disorder, suggesting that migraine sufferers may inherit sensitivity to triggers that produce inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves around the brain, causing pain.

A trigger is any stimulus that initiates a process or reaction. Commonly identified Migraine triggers include the following: 

Alcohol (e.g., Red wine), Environmental factors (e.g., Weather, Altitude, Time zone changes), Foods like Coffee, Chocolate, Chinese food, and Processed foods, Glare, Hormonal changes in women, Hunger, Lack of sleep, Medications, Perfumes, Stress.

In Ayurveda, “ARDHAVABHEDAKA” may be a comparable clinical condition of Migraine. ‘ARDHETU MOORDHANAH ARDHAVABHEDHAKA’ meaning ‘pain in half of the portion of the head. It is described as a  separate clinical entity in the classics of Charaka and Susruta while Vagbhata included this condition in the classification of Vataja Siroroga.

The Ayurvedic Treatment Nasya karma is mainly indicated in the treatment of Migraine. Kapha related toxins from the para nasal sinuses are eliminated and the region nourished. Due to this, the patient feels great relief in the head and clarity of the sense organs. Breathing becomes completely unobstructed which gives sound sleep at night. Olfactory improvement is also felt. Nasyam is very effective in Migraine. 

The other therapies include: Abhyangam, Swedam, Elakiddi, Shiro Vasthi, Dhumapanam, Vasthi Karma etc according to the necessity of the patient’s disease severity. Samsarjana karma includes the samana medicines, Pranayama-the breathing exercises, diet modifications and life style corrections.