Migraine Headaches
Help Is Here!
Migraine Headaches can be a debilitating condition that lasts
hours or days. The first thought during a migraine is to get some
relief as quickly as possible. This leads people to take over-the-
counter medications or to get prescription narcotics. While it is
nice to get relief from the pain, the adverse side effects of use of these drugs can cause many
problems, and new evidence suggests that taking pain medication makes future migraines more
severe and more frequent. With proper care it is possible to reduce or eliminate migraines
without medication.
What Causes Migraine Headaches?
Once we understand the mechanisms that triggers the migraine, it is much easier to get relief as
well as protect yourself from further damage.
Migraine headaches are vascular in nature. This means that there is a problem with the blood
flow to the brain. Does that sound familiar? It should because a migraine is very similar to a
stroke. The difference is in the amount of recovery versus damage done to the brain from the
loss of blood supply. It is important to realize the severity of this condition so that the necessary
measures to identify and fix the underlying causes are not ignored.
People complain of prodromes and auras, or other feelings that happen before the headache
begins. These can be flashing lights, buzzing noises, fainting, tingling in the face, arms and legs
and other sensations that the person feels, but are not really present. This is because the blood
vessels constrict, restricting blood flow to the brain which results in spontaneous firing of the
brain in areas that are most susceptible to low oxygen levels. For example, if the constriction
occurs in the part of the brain responsible for hearing (temporal lobe), you may hear something
that isn't really there.
The next phase of a migraine is the crushing pain. The brain itself does not have receptors for
pain so you don’t have the headache while the brain is being deprived of oxygen. But after the
blood vessels are constricted for a while, there is a rebound effect where they open up to allow
large amounts of blood to come flooding into the brain. Pain receptors around the blood vessels
are arranged like chicken wire around a garden hose so when the arteries open up, it stretches
the pain receptors and fires off pain signals. You often get pulsating pains because every time
the heart pumps it causes a pulsating wave through your arteries, which further stretches the
pain receptors.
Though the pain is often excruciating, it is actually a nice alarm system. This is your body's way
of telling you that there is something very wrong going on. Simply masking the pain with drugs
may cause you to ignore the fact that your brain is in a state of crisis.
Once the blood is flooding back into the brain, the cells of the brain try to use it to function.
However, the large amount of blood can exceed the energy capacity of brain cells which causes
damage to the brain. This causes free radicals, which can destroy the inner structures of the
brain cells as well as the cell wall. Sufficient damage can cause brain cell death, much like what
happens in a stroke. Please understand that we can not regenerate brain cells, once they are
gone there is no getting them back. Those who suffer from migraine headaches must get proper
care to remove the underlying cause of this destructive force.
So what can be done?
Now that you understand that migraines are a serious vascular problem in the brain, we need to
assess the associated factors and treat them appropriately.
1. The brain regulates everything in our body. If there are problems in certain areas of
the brain, there is less regulation over the rest of the body (like the control over our arteries).
The brain can be rehabilitated similar to your muscles. We can target a weak area to help it fire
appropriately. This will help control the arteries that supply blood to the brain.
2. The brain cells (and all other cells) need protection from free radicals. Antioxidants are
found in fruits and vegetables and supplemented in higher amounts to bind to free radicals and
render them harmless. Vitamin A, C and E, coenzyme Q10, glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid and bio-
flavanoisds are all excellent antioxidants that should always be used in combination.
3. Neurotransmitters play a large role in all brain functions. High levels of adrenaline will
cause constriction of blood vessels. Low serotonin will cause you to loose the ability to inhibit
(stop) pain. This means you may hurt more, hurt longer, hurt over a greater surface area over
the body, and it may take less stimulus for you to perceive pain if your neurotransmitters are not
balanced. These neurotransmitters can be tested and their levels changed by utilizing
appropriate amino acids and other precursor nutrients.
4. The brain is primarily made of fat. High quality essential fatty acids help build better
brain cells and reduce inflammation. Inflammation is triggered in times of injury or illness. If not
regulated, it can cause severe damage as well as pain.
5. People often have “triggers” that set off the immune system which can antagonize and
even cause migraines. There are common triggers like alcohol and chocolate, but there are
many foods and other substances that people have allergic reactions. An IgG food allergy test
and supplemental support can help normalize your immune system to better handle these
triggers.
6. Anything that will help the quality of the blood cell will help. Anemia can be an associated
problem. The amount of oxygen bound to the blood should also be considered. Breathing
exercises and rib adjustments will help ensure enough oxygen is available.
7. Anything that gets improves your metabolic systems will help. Blood sugar problems like
diabetes or insulin resistance can a play major role. L-carnitine can help shuttle fat into the cells
to be used as energy instead of building up in the blood as triglycerides. It will give the cell a
better chance of using fatty acids for energy.
8. Exercise will help with circulation of blood as well as increasing the number of
mitochondria (energy producing organelles in the cell). The more mitochondria we have
functioning well, the better of our brain will be.
9. Hormones should not be ignored. These have great effects on every cell in our body.
Thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones can all be measured and changed through dietary changes
and supplementation.
10. Migraines are also known to have a genetic component to it. This does NOT mean
that you might be stuck with migraines. Genes are handed down to you by your parents, but it is
your life choices that has the greatest effects on how genes are expressed. You are not
doomed to migraines just because you have a family history of migraines or even if you have had
them your whole life. Make changes in your lifestyle and you will see changes in how your body
responds. Genomic testing is available and affordable so we can tell exactly where you may
need focused supplemental and nutritional care.
There are ways to pin point the cause(s) and correct them naturally. By doing so, you
may eliminate the horrible pain and the further brain damage that migraines can cause.
Call Dr. Webster for a consultation today.
972-735-0707
Help Is Here!
Migraine Headaches can be a debilitating condition that lasts
hours or days. The first thought during a migraine is to get some
relief as quickly as possible. This leads people to take over-the-
counter medications or to get prescription narcotics. While it is
nice to get relief from the pain, the adverse side effects of use of these drugs can cause many
problems, and new evidence suggests that taking pain medication makes future migraines more
severe and more frequent. With proper care it is possible to reduce or eliminate migraines
without medication.
What Causes Migraine Headaches?
Once we understand the mechanisms that triggers the migraine, it is much easier to get relief as
well as protect yourself from further damage.
Migraine headaches are vascular in nature. This means that there is a problem with the blood
flow to the brain. Does that sound familiar? It should because a migraine is very similar to a
stroke. The difference is in the amount of recovery versus damage done to the brain from the
loss of blood supply. It is important to realize the severity of this condition so that the necessary
measures to identify and fix the underlying causes are not ignored.
People complain of prodromes and auras, or other feelings that happen before the headache
begins. These can be flashing lights, buzzing noises, fainting, tingling in the face, arms and legs
and other sensations that the person feels, but are not really present. This is because the blood
vessels constrict, restricting blood flow to the brain which results in spontaneous firing of the
brain in areas that are most susceptible to low oxygen levels. For example, if the constriction
occurs in the part of the brain responsible for hearing (temporal lobe), you may hear something
that isn't really there.
The next phase of a migraine is the crushing pain. The brain itself does not have receptors for
pain so you don’t have the headache while the brain is being deprived of oxygen. But after the
blood vessels are constricted for a while, there is a rebound effect where they open up to allow
large amounts of blood to come flooding into the brain. Pain receptors around the blood vessels
are arranged like chicken wire around a garden hose so when the arteries open up, it stretches
the pain receptors and fires off pain signals. You often get pulsating pains because every time
the heart pumps it causes a pulsating wave through your arteries, which further stretches the
pain receptors.
Though the pain is often excruciating, it is actually a nice alarm system. This is your body's way
of telling you that there is something very wrong going on. Simply masking the pain with drugs
may cause you to ignore the fact that your brain is in a state of crisis.
Once the blood is flooding back into the brain, the cells of the brain try to use it to function.
However, the large amount of blood can exceed the energy capacity of brain cells which causes
damage to the brain. This causes free radicals, which can destroy the inner structures of the
brain cells as well as the cell wall. Sufficient damage can cause brain cell death, much like what
happens in a stroke. Please understand that we can not regenerate brain cells, once they are
gone there is no getting them back. Those who suffer from migraine headaches must get proper
care to remove the underlying cause of this destructive force.
So what can be done?
Now that you understand that migraines are a serious vascular problem in the brain, we need to
assess the associated factors and treat them appropriately.
1. The brain regulates everything in our body. If there are problems in certain areas of
the brain, there is less regulation over the rest of the body (like the control over our arteries).
The brain can be rehabilitated similar to your muscles. We can target a weak area to help it fire
appropriately. This will help control the arteries that supply blood to the brain.
2. The brain cells (and all other cells) need protection from free radicals. Antioxidants are
found in fruits and vegetables and supplemented in higher amounts to bind to free radicals and
render them harmless. Vitamin A, C and E, coenzyme Q10, glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid and bio-
flavanoisds are all excellent antioxidants that should always be used in combination.
3. Neurotransmitters play a large role in all brain functions. High levels of adrenaline will
cause constriction of blood vessels. Low serotonin will cause you to loose the ability to inhibit
(stop) pain. This means you may hurt more, hurt longer, hurt over a greater surface area over
the body, and it may take less stimulus for you to perceive pain if your neurotransmitters are not
balanced. These neurotransmitters can be tested and their levels changed by utilizing
appropriate amino acids and other precursor nutrients.
4. The brain is primarily made of fat. High quality essential fatty acids help build better
brain cells and reduce inflammation. Inflammation is triggered in times of injury or illness. If not
regulated, it can cause severe damage as well as pain.
5. People often have “triggers” that set off the immune system which can antagonize and
even cause migraines. There are common triggers like alcohol and chocolate, but there are
many foods and other substances that people have allergic reactions. An IgG food allergy test
and supplemental support can help normalize your immune system to better handle these
triggers.
6. Anything that will help the quality of the blood cell will help. Anemia can be an associated
problem. The amount of oxygen bound to the blood should also be considered. Breathing
exercises and rib adjustments will help ensure enough oxygen is available.
7. Anything that gets improves your metabolic systems will help. Blood sugar problems like
diabetes or insulin resistance can a play major role. L-carnitine can help shuttle fat into the cells
to be used as energy instead of building up in the blood as triglycerides. It will give the cell a
better chance of using fatty acids for energy.
8. Exercise will help with circulation of blood as well as increasing the number of
mitochondria (energy producing organelles in the cell). The more mitochondria we have
functioning well, the better of our brain will be.
9. Hormones should not be ignored. These have great effects on every cell in our body.
Thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones can all be measured and changed through dietary changes
and supplementation.
10. Migraines are also known to have a genetic component to it. This does NOT mean
that you might be stuck with migraines. Genes are handed down to you by your parents, but it is
your life choices that has the greatest effects on how genes are expressed. You are not
doomed to migraines just because you have a family history of migraines or even if you have had
them your whole life. Make changes in your lifestyle and you will see changes in how your body
responds. Genomic testing is available and affordable so we can tell exactly where you may
need focused supplemental and nutritional care.
There are ways to pin point the cause(s) and correct them naturally. By doing so, you
may eliminate the horrible pain and the further brain damage that migraines can cause.
Call Dr. Webster for a consultation today.
972-735-0707
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