Migraine Headache

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

Eliminate foods that cause an allergic response or to which there is a sensitivity (fast, use an elimination diet, or allergy test to isolate such foods). Most common allergens, in order of likelihood, are:
Avoid dietary amines - chocolate, citrus, red wines, aged cheeses, fermented sausages, beer, pickled products, bananas, figs, prunes, pineapples, raisins and sour cream
Avoid arachidonic acid-containing foods - meats and meat products
Avoid nitrate and nitrite foods - hot dogs, cured meats
Avoid copper foods - chocolate, nuts, wheat germ, shellfish, citrus (citrus increases the intestinal absorption of copper) and monosodium glutamate (MSG binds and transport copper between blood and tissues
Eliminate sugar, refined carbohydrates, caffeine and aspartame

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

Vitamin B2: 400 mg.
Vitamin B12: 1000 mcg. once a week IM
Magnesium: 300-600 mg. in divided dose

Supplements: (references)

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 2 - 4 gm. in divided doses with food
5-Hydroxytryptophan: 100 - 300 mg. TID (Note: in rare circumstances, tryptophan has been found to be detrimental to headache sufferers)

Botanicals: (references)

Tincture - Tanacetum parthenium (Feverfew) : 1/4 tsp TID
Dry herb - Petasites hybridus (Butterbur) : as directed by the particular manufacture

Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

Migraine, general:

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)

Other Therapies: (references)

Migraine IV therapy
Tonic IV therapy
Migraine IV push therapy
Test for environmental allergens, heavy metal toxicity and hypoglycemia
Normalize sleep patterns, i.e., normal start and duration
Get regular exercise
Hyperbaric oxygen has been shown to be beneficial in some cases
Enermed therapy (magnets)

Recommended Labs:

Check for migraine: MIDAS
Rule out allergies: IgG Food Allergy Antibody, IgG and IgE Inhalent Allergy Antibody
Rule out brain tumor and other malignancies: PET Scan, MRI
Rule out congestive heart failure: ECG, Exercise Stress, B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, Multiple-Gated Acqusition Scanning, Angiogram
Rule out dental disorders: Dental Exam
Rule out diabetic acidosis: Oral Glucose Tolerance, Urine Ketone Dip
Rule out drug side effects: Drug Reference Information Analysis
Rule out heavy metal poisoning: Hair Analysis
Rule out herpes zoster: Viral Culture of Skin Lesion, Tzanck, CBC with Diff
Rule out hyperparathyroidism: PTH
Rule out hypertension: Sphygomanometry
Rule out ocular disorders: Ophthalmic Exam
Rule out osteomyelitis: MRI, Bone Scan, X-Ray, CBC with Diff
Rule out otitis media: Otoscopic Exam
Rule out rheumatoid arthritis: Latex, ESR
Rule out sinusitis: Nasopharyngeal Culture, Paranasal Sinus X-Ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI, Illumination, Percussion
Rule out thyroid disorder: Thyroid Panel with TSH
Rule out TMJ syndrome: Physical Exam
Rule out tuberculosis: PPD Skin

* The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.