Conceptual Study of Migraine in Ayurveda (Ardhavbhedaka)

Migraine is one of the most common neurovascular disabling disorders encountered in Shalakya practice. Migraine can be defined as a paroxysmal affection having a sudden onset accompanied by usually unilateral severe headache. In Ayurveda, Migraine is described as Ardhaavabhedhaka which is a major health issue among people of age group 30 to 50 years. According to WHO, migraine is the third most common disease in the world with an estimated global prevalence of 14.7% (around 1 in 7 people).1 Chronic Migraine affects about 2% of world population2 with female and male ratio 3:1.3 It is a widespread, chronic and intermittently disabling disorder characterized by recurrent headaches with or without aura. The attack gives warning before it strikes black spots or a brilliant zigzag line appears before the eyes or the patient has blurring of vision or has part of his vision blanked out. It is also called as 'œsick headache' because nausea and vomiting occasionally accompany the excruciating pain which lasts for as long as three days. Suppressing migraine pain with NSAIDS and analgesics gives short term relief and the pain can rebound. Dependence on medicines decreases the body's natural pain relief mechanism and long-term dependence can damage kidneys, liver or other vital organs. Ayurveda believes in treating the disease at its root cause from within. Therefore, treatments focus on balancing the vitiated Doshas in the digestive and nervous systems. This can be achieved by avoiding triggering factors and prescribing doshic specific diet, stress management, herbal formulas, lifestyle modification, Panchakarma, Kriyakalpa and other holistic modalities to create a balanced physiology. Dr Shyam Kumar Sah | Dr Deeraj BC | Dr Ashwini MJ"Conceptual Study of Migraine in Ayurveda (Ardhavbhedaka)" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-2 | Issue-4 , June 2018, URL: http://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd15633.pdf http://www.ijtsrd.com/medicine/other/15633/conceptual-study-of-migraine-in-ayurveda-ardhavbhedaka/dr-shyam-kumar-sah