Natural health: Aneurysms and cluster migraines
I recently had an operation for a brain aneurysm.
Is there anything that I can do to help reduce the chances of this happening again?
I am 42 years old, exercise moderately, eat well, and don’t smoke.
It is good to hear that you don’t smoke, as this definitely swings the odds in your favour.
The fact that you are also taking care of your nutritional needs and physical fitness is also important in terms of helping the body to heal.
Aneurysms can often run in the family, so it may well be that this is an important factor to consider.
They occur when the blood vessel wall weakens to the point where it swells up and bulges. If not caught in time, this swelling can burst the weakened vessel and cause a stroke.
Stress is another trigger factor with aneurysm and strokes, since it increases blood pressure, which is the last thing that you want when the blood vessels already have weak points.
Take steps to reduce your stress levels if this is an issue — meditation, yoga, tai chi, and conscious breathing are all very effective (not to mention relatively simple to implement into your life).
There is a wonderful herb that may also help you, called lifeflower (Erigeron breviscapus).
Used as a safe alternative for those prone to stroke, high blood pressure, or Alzheimer’s, this herb has been used in China for centuries to treat a range of cerebro-vascular disorders.
It is believed that those who take this herb are rewarded with a second chance at life, hence the name lifeflower.
It works by increasing bloodflow in the heart tissue and around the arteries that supply blood to and from the heart.
This means that the heart doesn’t have to pump as hard to get blood to the organs since there is less resistance when blood flows into the blood vessels.
Lifeflower also improves bloodflow in the cerebral region and increases the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.
This allows vital nutrients, oxygen, and glucose to feed the brain cells which is important for healing, cognitive function, and for damage prevention.
Over 10 million clinical cases (aged 30-85) in China have shown that erigeron breviscapus is highly effective in treating cerebrovascular disorders, including cerebral embolism and blood-brain barrier diseases.
More than 80% of clinical cases reported improvement in their state of cerebrovascular diseases.
Erigeron breviscapus by Farlong is available from Victoria Health ( www.victoriahealth.com 00 44 1733 709 100), where 30 capsules cost €40.55 (200mg).
The recommended dose is one capsule daily.
My adult son suffers from cluster migraines and has managed to keep them under control using medication until recently.
What more can he do? The migraines destroy his quality of life.
This type of migraine is described as being in a cluster as the attacks occur in groups rather than a single episode.
The clusters can appear in consecutive days or even within the same day, but a group can last intermittently for two to eight weeks before the sufferer finds relief.
It is a rare condition, typically affecting men over the age of 30, and it is still not completely understood.
Alcohol can be a trigger, as can sensitivity to environmental pollutants or foods.
While there is no cure, there are a couple of things that can help.
Ginkgo biloba is what I would usually recommend since it increases oxygen flow to the brain and improves peripheral circulation. However, this is no longer available over the counter in Ireland.
Fortunately, coenzyme Q10, which helps to increase energy in our cells and plays an important role in brain function is also an effective supplement in reducing migraine episodes and is widely available.
Also worth considering is osteopathy or chiropractic support. This can help if a vertebrae alignment issue is at the root of the cluster migraine episodes.
Email it to feelgood@examiner.ie or send a letter to:
Feelgood,
Irish Examiner,
Linn Dubh,
Assumption Road,
Blackpool,
Cork
The information contained in this column is not a subsitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.
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