Migraine Due To Food Allergy (Ardhavabhedaka)

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Migraine Due To Food Allergy

The hypersensitivity reaction of human body towards various factors like food, environmental changes, mental state etc. can affect different systems of body. Among these, allergic response to various food items can be responsible in causing head ache in some people. Food allergy can result in two types of head ache – Sinus headache and Migraine. The range of symptoms varies in different individuals based on health status and strength of allergen.This is found to be affected more in women than in men. Ayurveda has specifically explained the condition of migraine as Ardhavabhedaka. There is detailed description of symptoms as well as treatment of Ardhavabhedaka. Dr.Gupta’s IAFA is providing the best Ayurvedic treatment available for migraine, caused especially by food allergy. IAFA is an enthusiastic institution focussing on the management of various agonies related to allergy.

Common Causes of Migraine

Migraine may be triggered by various factors. The exact reason and mode of occurrence is not fully known. Nervous system is believed to have great role in the manifestation of Migraine. The factors that can initiate migraine are:

Variation in hormonal levels in women
Intake of certain drinks like alcohol, coffee etc.
Intake of specific foodstuffs like cheese, salty food, canned and baked food
Skipping meals
Reduced intake of water
Presence of chemicals like preservatives, artificial sweeteners, flavours etc. in food.

Ayurveda explains the reasons for occurrence of Migraine as environmental changes, mental stress, increased alcohol intake, suppression of natural urges, improper digestion of food etc.

Ayurvedic Reference of Migraine Due To Food Allergy-Ardhavabhedaka

Symptoms of Migraine Caused by Food Allergy

In some people, before the actual occurrence of Migraine there will be warning symptoms called as Aura manifested as flashes of light, difficulty to speak etc. General symptoms of Migraine include:

Throbbing or pulsating pain usually over one side of head
High sensitivity to light and sound
Nausea
Vomiting

The duration of symptoms varies in each individual. It may last from a few hours to a few days.

In Ayurveda exact symptoms of Migraine are explained as severe pain over half of head, disturbances to eyes and ears (sensitivity to light and sound) in severe condition, dizziness, cracking and throbbing pain etc.

“Dr.Gupta’s IAFA is providing the best Ayurvedic treatment available for migraine, caused especially by food allergy. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is an enthusiastic institution focussing on the management of various agonies related to allergy”.

‘Let’s get rid of headaches by the power of Ayurveda through IAFA’

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Diet in Migraine due to Food Allergy

Do’s (Pathya) in Migraine Due to Food Allergy

Light & warm food
Increased intake of fruits, vegetables and salads
Drink plenty of water
Steam inhalation
Practice of mild exercise
Spent more time outside where good oxygen supply is available
Use hot water for bathing (below neck)
Proper sleep at night time

Don’ts (Apathya) in Migraine Due to Food Allergy

Foodstuff like cheese, chocolate etc.
Drinks like alcohol, particularly beer and red wine
Food items containing preservatives like nitrates and artificial sweeteners
Heavy and fatty food
Long journey without rest
Working in A/C rooms
Continuous computer work without rest
Suppression of natural urges especially cough, sneeze, urine etc.
Smoking
Day sleep
Late night work
Drinking cold water

Yoga and Pranayama for Migraine Due to Food Allergy

Regular practice of Yoga definitely helps in reducing the attacks and intensity of Migraine. Yoga helps to drop mental stress and increases blood circulation. Following Yoga postures will be especially beneficial in Migraine:

Hastapadasana
Shirshasana
Shishuasana
Marjarasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Padmasana

Pranayama helps to bring easiness and lightness to body as well as mind. Regular practice of Pranayama with Yoga can do magical effects in reducing distress caused by Migraine.

Treatment of Migraine due to Food Allergy

Ayurveda has a combined therapy of internal medicines, external medicines and treatment procedures to manage Migraine.

Internal Medicines for Migraine due to Food Allergy

Pathyashdanga Kashaya
Amrutothara Kashaya
Pachanamrutha Kashaya
Rasnadasamoola ghrita
Sudarshana choorna

Godanti bhasama
Lakshmi vilasa ras
Satavari gula
Varanadi ksheera grita

External medicines for Migraine due to Food Allergy

Kachuradi choorna
Ksheerabala taila
Propoundarikadi taila

Balaswagandhadi taila
Rasnadi jambeera

Purification Therapy in Migraine due to Food Allergy

Vamana (vomiting)
Virechana (purgation)

Nasya (administering nasal drop)

Treatment Procedures for Migraine due to Food Allergy

Siro vasti (Retention of medicated oil on head)
Siro lepa (Application of medicated paste on head)

Siro abhyanga (Head massage with medicated oil)
Swedana (Sweating therapy)

Single Herbs for Migraine Due to Food Allergy

Bala (Sida cordifolia)
Aswagandha (Withania somnifera)
Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata)
Varana (Crateva nurvala)

Satavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Hareetahki (Terminalia chebula)
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)

References

Shloka No. 7, Sirorogvijnaneeya, Utharasthana, Ashtanga Hrudaya by Vagbhata.
Agnivesha. 2011. Charak Samhita revised by Charak and Drudhabala with Ayurvedic Dipika Commentary by Chakarpani Dutta; Edited by Vaidya Yadavji Trikamji Acharaya, published by Chaukhambha Prakashan Varanasi.
Siddhi Nandan Mishra – Ayurved Rasshastra, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Chapter – Shuddh Varga, 2007. p. 571.
Bhav Mishra. Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, 2011.
Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Aspects of Allergies and Fungal Infections, Edition 2021, Mold Allergy Chapter No. 19, Page No. 117-122.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Migraine?

Answer: Migraine is a type of severe form of head ache caused by various factors like environmental changes, hormonal variation, mental stress, certain food and drinks etc.

Question: What are the symptoms of Migraine?

Answer: Migraine is manifested as severe throbbing or pulsating pain over one half or both halves of the head, intense irritability to sound and light, nausea, vomiting etc.

Question: Is Ayurvedic treatment effective in Migraine?

Answer: Yes, Ayurveda can assure complete relief from Migraine through various internal medicines, external medicines, therapies etc.

Question: Can migraine be caused by food allergies?

Answer: Some inflammatory foods such as dairy and gluten are the root cause of migraine in some patients. These allergies are quick to identify as these cause an immediate reaction.

Question: Is there a treatment of migraine due to food allergy in Ayurveda?

Answer: Ayurveda uses non-conventional treatments such as use of herbal remedies, yoga and pranayama, dietary recommendations to deal with migraine effectively. Ayurveda opens the new door for treatment through its holistic approach whereas in modern medicine, there is no permanent treatment of migraine due to food allergy.

Question: How effective is Ayurvedic treatment for migraine due to food allergy?

Answer: Ayurveda believes in treating the disease from its root cause. This condition is commonly related to Ardhavbhedaka in Ayurveda as explained by commentator Chakrapani. In Ayurvedic system of medicine, various internal medications are effective in pacifying the vitiated doshas and bring them into an equilibrium state.

Question: What is the recommended diet in migraine due to food allergy?

Answer: Consumption of light and warm food, fresh fruits and vegetables is advised whereas stale food, food items containing preservatives, heavy food should be avoided.

Question: What is the role of yoga and pranayama in migraine due to food allergy?

Answer: Some yogasanas such as Hastopadasana, Marjarasana, Padamasana, Adho Mukha Svasana are effective and Pranayam such as Nadi Shodhan, Anulom-Vilom are quite effective.