A migraine is a severe headache that usually affects the front or one side of the head. It may be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and is more common in women than men. According to the U.K. National Health Service website, NHS Choices, the exact cause of migraines is unknown, but fluctuating hormone levels and low levels of a particular neurotransmitter called serotonin may be linked with migraines. Migraines normally occur in response to a trigger such as stress, caffeine or bright light and usually last for at least several hours. Although there is no cure for migraines, painkillers usually help alleviate symptoms. Some supplements may also help ease migraine severity.
Magnesium
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, website, people who suffer from migraines often have lower levels of magnesium than people who don't get migraines. A review article published in March 2009 in "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics" notes that a magnesium deficiency may cause migraines altering the release of neurotransmitters and causing hyper-aggregation of blood platelets. The article's lead author, C Sun-Edelstein from the New York Headache Center, suggests that magnesium may be an inexpensive, safe and well-tolerated treatment option for migraines.
Vitamin B2
According to MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is sometimes used as a migraine headache treatment. MedlinePlus notes that taking 400mg of vitamin B2 may significantly reduce the number of migraine attacks. However, it does not seem to alleviate pain or shorten the duration of the migraine. In addition, MedlinePlus says that it may take up to three months for vitamin B2 to have any effect on your migraines. Vitamin B2 is generally safe, but high doses may cause side effects including diarrhea and increased urination.
Herbs
Some herbs may help alleviate migraine headaches, notes the UMMC website. However, there have been no scientific studies to show that they are effective. The UMMC website suggests a number of herbs including devil's claw, ginkgo biloba and ginger. These herbs should be used with caution as they may cause side effects and interfere with the action of other drugs. For example, ginger may cause bloating, nausea and heartburn, while ginkgo biloba may cause gastrointestinal upset and increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before using herbs to treat a migraine.
