Migraine headache is a type of vascular headache.

Migraine headache is caused by:

• Enlargement of blood vessels
• Action of certain chemicals on the blood vessels

Some researchers think migraines may be caused by functional changes in the trigeminal nerve system, a major pain pathway in nervous system, and by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which plays a regulatory role for pain messages going through this pathway. During a headache, serotonin levels drop. Researchers believe this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain’s outer covering (meninges). There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain. During an attack, an artery that lies on the outside of the skull just under the skin of the temple enlarges (Temporal artery). Enlargement of this artery stretches the nerves around the artery and causes the release of certain chemicals. These chemicals are then responsible for inflammatory changes and pain.

The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls initial responses to stress and pain. Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The increased sympathetic nervous activity affects different body systems in different ways to bring about various symptoms in migraine attack.

• In intestine: Nausea, Vomiting, And Diarrhea
• In stomach: Delayed emptying of the stomach into the small intestine which reduces effectiveness of oral pain relieving drugs
• The circulatory system: Decreases circulation, results in pallor of the skin, cold hands and feet.
• Sensory nervous system: Heightened sensitivity to light and sound and blurred vision.

Most common symptoms of Migraine headache:

• Intense, throbbing pain
• The pain usually one sided, both sides, change side during every new attack,
• A migraine headache usually is aggravated by walking upstairs.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, facial pallor, cold hands, cold feet, and sensitivity to light and sound common with migraine headaches
• Migraine sufferers usually prefer to lie in a quiet, dark room during an attack.
• The duration of attack may be from few hours to few days

Some migraine headaches are preceded by an aura. The most common auras are:

• Flashing, brightly colored lights in a zigzag pattern
• A hole in the visual field, also known as a blind spot
• Pins-and-needles sensations in the hand and the arm on one side or pins-and-needles sensations around the mouth and the nose on the same side
• Auditory hallucinations
• Abnormal tastes
• Abnormal smells

Some migraines are associated with neurological disturbances:

• Vertebrobasilar migraines are characterized by dysfunction of the brainstem
  • Fainting as an aura
  • Vertigo
  • Double vision
• Hemiplegic migraines:
  • Paralysis
  • Weakness of one side of the body
  • The duration may be few hours to few days
• Post migraine attack problems are:
  • Feeling of drained energy levels
  • Experience a low-grade headache along with sensitivity to light and sound
  • Recurrences of the headache during this period

Migraine headaches are usually diagnosed when the history. Migraine generally begins in childhood to early adulthood. A family history is usually present, which indicates genetic influence in migraine patients.

Migraine Triggers:

• Stress
• Sleep disturbances
• Fasting
• Hormones
• Bright or flickering lights
• Odors
• Cigarette smoke
• Alcohol
• Food: aged cheeses, chocolate, monosodium glutamate, nitrites, aspartame, and caffeine

Life-style modifications for migraine sufferers include:

• Go to sleep and waking up at the same time each day
• Exercise regular
• Do not skip meals, and avoiding prolonged fasting
• Limit stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques
• Limit caffeine consumption to less than two caffeine-containing beverages a day
• Avoid bright or flashing lights and wearing sunglasses if sunlight is a trigger
• Identify and avoid foods that trigger headaches by keeping a headache and food diary.
• Review the diary with your doctor.
• It is impractical to adopt a diet that avoids all known migraine triggers, however, it is reasonable to avoid foods that consistently trigger migraine headaches

Role of Homeopathy in Migraine:
Homeopathy has proved its efficacy in various types of Migraine. Homeopathy successfully treats migraine in more than 80% of cases in all age groups. Constitutional homeopathic treatment approach is the best suitable approach to the treatment of migraine. You may not have to take pain reliving medicines during acute episode of pain as homeopathic medicines act promptly even during acute episode of pain when fast relief is desired by the patients. Patients will have to take regular course of medicines even when there is no pain so that subsequent attacks of migraine attacks are reduced in intensity and frequency. The duration of treatment is variable from patient to patient.

Kidney stones are one of the most common urological disorders and one of the most painful ones too. They are basically solidified concentrates concentrates of the crystals which normally are present in the dissolved form in urine. Kidney stones are more common in middle-aged adults than in the elderly and are much more prevalent in men as compared to women.

• CAUSES
• * Hereditary: 1] : People suffering from gout, parathyroid problems, inflammatory bowel diseases and chronic urinary tract infection are predisposed to stone formation 2) Increased urinary concentration due to dehydrations – Most stones arise in the kidney when urine becomes supersaturated with salts and crystals that are capable of forming stones.
• Hyperparathyroidism may also lead to hyper calcuria.
• Increase of calcium intake i.e. more than the required amount (e.g. intake of too much of chocolates, strawberries, etc
• Urinary inadequate drainage – slow obstructive urine flow will encourage salt precipitation due to stagnation
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Increased intake of vitamin D, Calcium, protein, tea or fruit juice
• Prolonged immobility where stone formation is due to hypercalcuria.
• Metabolic order
• Decrease in fluid intake may precipitate formation of stones
• Prolonged bed rest
• Chronic use of antacids containing calcium

SINE AND SYSMPTOMS:

1. The most common symptom of kidney stone is severe back or abdominal pain. The renal colic type of pain is the sudden onset of very severe pain which radiates from the interior towards the anterior region of the groin.
2. Nausea and vomiting with excessive sweating
3. Urinary tract infections – Symptoms may include fever, chill , sweating and pain with urination.

It is not a part of the presentation of uncomplicated nephrolithiasis

PREVENTION

• Urinate as soon as possible when the urge is felt and empty the bladder completely
• Drink 3-5 litres of water if you are suspected of having a stone or if you are doing strenuous work in a hot humid climate. But if you live in an area that has hard water, do not drink more than 2 litres a day
• Avoid milk and milk products if you are prone to develop kidney stones
• Also avoid chocolates, beans, beets, spinach, celery, asparagus
• Avoid strawberries, grapes, rhubarb, plums, etc
• Avoid red meat which causes uric acid levels to increase
• Avoid egg, meat, fish, liver oils if suffering from crystal stones
• Avoid foods that raise uric acid levels like sardines, organ meats, anchovies
• Avoid foods containing sucrose and lactose
• Reduce uric acid by eating a low-protein diet
• Reduce salt intake to no more than 3 grams per day. Increase fibre-intake like bran
• Beer is good for flushing out the stone but do not over-indulge
• Barley water helps is removing stones
• Increase intake of Vitamin A rich foods
• Avoid high-dose long-term supplementation with Vitamin C
• Take Vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements
• Avoid calcium containing pain-killers
• Avoid calcium, Vitamin D supplements and calcium containing antacids which can increase calcium oxalate levels
• Increase exercise but avoid strenuous exercise that can get you dehydrated
• Lose excess weight
• Never self-medicate

Investigations

Abdominal X-rays : – Small stones may not be detected by this method and plain abdominal radiography should be performed if the suspicion of stones is high.

Kidney ultrasound : – Ultrasound is more sensitive in detecting nephrocalcinosis and may detect radiolucent stones. Ultrasound cannot be used to find small stones

Urinalysis : will identify PH, and microscopy will identify cystine crystals, haematuria, pyuria and bacteria.

Intravenous pyelogram : – Various reactions have been attributed to intravenous contrast agents including nausea, vomiting, urticaria, bronchospasm and cardiac arrhythmias.

Abdominal CT scan and abdominal/kidney MRI : will also give a clear picture about the disease condition.

Complications

1) Infection
2) Kidney damage – affected kidney will become functionless with ydronephrosis

HOMEOPATHY MEDICINE:

BERBERIS VUL: Head Remedy for renal colic, specially when the pain is on the left side and extends from kidney to urethra, with urging to urinate With similar symptoms it also cures pain on the right side.

LYCOPODOUM : In chronic cases when the acute pain is over there is flatulence in abdomen, especially right side with red send in urine. It should be given 30 dilutions not more then twice daily morning and evening for about three months.

CANTHARIS : Uremia delusions with sense of persecution .suppression of urine with restlessness , flushed face, sparkling eyes, Urge to pass urine but nothing is voided, there being no urine in bladder. Pain and burning in urine while passing urinations. burning sensations constantly after passing urine. Patient had low grad fever and body ache. Urine is scanty and bloody.

SARSAPARILLA: Its specially for child kidney stone. While passing child crying urinations. For white sediments. Urine becomes turbid like clay water immediately after passing. Much pain at the end of urinating. Urine scanty, slimy, and flaky. Tenesmus of bladder.

TEREBINTHINA : Violent drawing pain in the region of kidneys. Violent burning and cutting in urine. Burning in urethra. Blood and albumin in urine. It is said to prevent and dissolve renal colic in which case it may be given in IM dilution.. Urine red, brown black or smoky in appearance.

BELLADONA : shooting pain in the renal region along the ureter through which the calculus makes its way.

Other homeopathy medicine is dioscorea, millifolium, causticum, chin.sulf, pareira B, Urtica Urens, Calcarea Carb. etc.

Homeopathy Dosage Directions

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used.