Dr. Brody’s Natural Approach to Migraines
There are many reasons why people get migraines, but it differs from person to person. A few of the common causes are; hormonal fluctuations, inflammation, and environmental factors, along with the possibility of certain genetic mutations known as SNPs (pronounced snips). Within the world of Personalized Medicine, I work with my patients to understand and eliminate the causes of their migraines so we can prevent them from occurring. This is usually a combined effect of giving the body what it needs, taking out the trash (detoxification), and increasing vitality. In order to treat a person with migraines more effectively, one must first understand them. This means understanding the four phases which make up a migraine. These include a prodrome, aura, headache, and post-drome.
- The first phase is called the prodromal phase. This can vary from person to person but the symptoms usually consist of nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise, lights, and odors. These early warning signs require prompt treatment to prevent a full-blown migraine attack.
- The aura phase usually only happens to about a ¼ of migraine sufferers. This phase can be scary as it usually consists of some type of distortion of vision such as flashing lights, floaters or spots, loss of sight, seeing a halo around objects, etc.
- The next phase is probably the most common and consists of a severe headache. This is usually the most crippling part of a migraine and the symptoms can affect the entire body. These headaches can last hours to days and can leave a person crippled from pain. These attacks can lead to vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and a whole host of other symptoms.
- The last phase and the phase that most people don’t think about is called the postdrome. This is when a headache is done but you feel mental exhaustion. The body is “cleaning up” post attack and this hung over, toxic feeling can last for a few days while your body returns to equilibrium.
When it comes to treatments, there are many roads to take, but one I’d like to touch upon now is epigenetics, which is the study of cellular trait variations that are caused by external or environmental factors and how they switch genes on and off and affect how cells read genes. Let’s take a closer look.
At the Personalized Natural Medicine Clinic, we know that a genetic mutation in the MTHFR gene C677T can increase the risk of migraines. There are also about 100 other mutations that can play a role in the etiology of migraines.
Another cause of migraines is inflammation in the body. Inflammation can be the result of many different things, but I usually like to start by looking at the food my patients eat on a daily basis. A low lectin diet can play a role in preventing the perfect storm for migraines (especially with IL4 and IL13 mutations).
Another aspect that must be addressed in preventing migraines is fixing the problem from the inside out and making sure that the body’s built-in detoxification system is working properly. This is necessary to prevent and heal from migraine attacks. I always ask if my patients are pooping, peeing and sweating regularly. If this is not happening, it can make for a delayed healing time.
Natural Treatment
Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment!
- Vitamin B2: Otherwise known as Riboflavin can help reduce and prevent migraines
- Magnesium: Can help relax muscles especially if your migraines are related to tension
- Curcumin: This is an anti-inflammatory herb that can help take the sting off migraines.
Services and Tests To Help You Heal Faster:
To schedule an appointment, please contact the front desk at the Personalized Natural Medicine Clinic, located in the heart of Newtown, Connecticut.