Natural health: Late nights and alcohol trigger my migraines. What can I do?

Plus: natural ways to overcome shingles

So many different factors can start a migraine, so it is good that you have an idea of how your body reacts to stress and late nights out with alcohol.

I suffer from occasional migraines that can be triggered by stress or late nights involving alcohol. I’m single, in my late 20s, and enjoy going out on the town with my friends and having a few drinks. What would you suggest?

So many different factors can start a migraine, so it is good that you have an idea of how your body reacts to stress and late nights out with alcohol. Many triggers are food or drink related, stress and sunlight are other common issues, and hormonal fluctuations certainly play a significant role.

A common trigger of migraine episodes is perfume, including cologne and other strong fragrances (personal and environmental), which is often encountered during a night out. Interestingly, there is a natural scent that may provide some relief. Peppermint essential oil can be a useful standby for migraine attacks and may also help relieve nausea. You can often find peppermint oil-based remedies in a roll-on applicator to rub into your temples, along your jawline, and at the base of the skull whenever you need to.

Therapeutically, acupuncture and craniosacral therapy may provide some relief. Osteopathic treatment is another physical therapy that many sufferers swear by. It is very individual — what may work wonders for one person may not work at all for another.

Essential fatty acids taken daily have been shown to reduce the frequency of migraines by half in almost two-thirds of migraine sufferers, along with a significant reduction in pain and severity of the attack. Look for a supplement that contains EPA and DHA, as they are key to reducing neuroinflammation.

For prevention, try the herb feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). The recommended dosage is 100mg daily, as this provides the necessary 0.7% of the active constituent, parthenolide. It is important to note that it can take a month before feverfew begins to work, but it is worth the wait if it helps to ward off migraines.

I developed shingles two months ago. It was a particularly stressful time as I was studying for exams while also working and looking after my young family. I’m mostly over the outbreak, but I feel exhausted most of the time. What can I take to get back on track?

Stress is a common trigger for shingles, and because it’s such a stressful condition to deal with, it can create a somewhat of a catch-22 situation.

Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox, and is thought to lie dormant in nerve cells until the immune system is compromised.

Times of great physical, mental, or emotional stress all impact our immune function. Because the virus is found in nerve ganglia, the pain associated with shingles can be one of the most difficult symptoms to manage.

I’m glad to hear you are mostly over the worst of it, although the exhaustion you describe can make recovery slow and arduous.

Vitamin C is an important nutrient for managing viral illnesses, as it helps treat herpes-type infections, supports immune health, and boosts energy levels.

You would do best to take up to 3,000mg daily in the form of a vitamin C supplement (take this in 500mg increments throughout the day), alongside adding vitamin C-rich foods to your diet.

Since the nervous system has been under attack by this viral infection, it is also crucial that you supplement with B vitamins. The B vitamins work best when taken together, so make sure you find a good B-complex. Stress depletes this group of nutrients, and as you have a lot on your plate with studying, working, and raising a young family, you will no doubt benefit from B-complex supplementation.

NOTE: The information contained in this column is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a doctor.