Natural health: My migraines are back with a bang

Plus, what should I use for my psoriasis flare-up?

Migraines can be linked to hormonal fluctuations Picture: iStock 

I used to get migraines around the time of my period, but they virtually disappeared after I improved my diet and started doing more exercise. I’m in my mid-40s, and the migraines are back with a bang — I’m getting one almost every week. It’s probably related to the perimenopause. What would you suggest?

Migraines are often linked to hormonal fluctuations, so it makes sense that they have become problematic at this stage of life. It is relatively common for women to experience migraines in early pregnancy, menstruation, and during perimenopause.

As oestrogen levels change, blood vessels are affected and can often trigger the onset of migraines and tension headaches. In fact, if you are having other perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, disrupted sleep, dehydration, and low serotonin levels, they may be contributing to the problem.

Perfume and strong fragrances are known triggers of migraines, with other common causes being bright light, stress, cigarette smoke, lack of sleep, loud noises, hormone-based contraceptives, MSG (monosodium glutamate), nitrites and sulphites, caffeine, and allergies or intolerances. Common food triggers include wine, chocolate, citrus, onions, dairy, fermented foods, nuts, and bananas. Some studies have shown that taking essential fatty acids daily may reduce the frequency of migraines, along with a significant reduction in pain and severity of the attack.

Peppermint essential oil can be a useful standby for migraine attacks. 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.

The botanical remedy feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is often used as a preventative solution. A daily dose of 100mg typically provides 0.7% of the herb’s active constituent, parthenolide.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is the herbal remedy of choice to treat an existing migraine. You will need one heaped teaspoon of dried herb to one cup of near-boiling water, and steep for four to six minutes. It is a good idea to talk with your doctor about whether bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a suitable option for you. It is important to find that sweet spot of minimum effective dosage and specific hormone delivery system, or combination of systems, that works best for you to keep the migraines at bay.

I got a flare-up of psoriasis after almost a 30-year gap. It could have been triggered by the unexpected death of my father, whom I was very close to. Is there a natural cream I could use?

An event such as the death of your father could well be the cause, since stress is a well-known trigger for a psoriasis flare-up.

Topically, you might benefit from using a herbal salve called Skin Salvation, which is available from Boots. Keep in mind that a little goes a long way.

Some studies suggest that limiting saturated fats from animal products may be beneficial. A vegetarian or pescatarian diet may also help, as these diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that plays a role in inflammatory pathways.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, cold-water fatty fish, nuts and seeds, can help to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms, along with providing the mineral zinc, which is important for skin health.

Next time you visit your doctor, ask for your serum levels of vitamin D to be checked. This is a common deficiency among psoriasis sufferers, and is a relatively simple fix with supplementation. The simplest tool for helping to manage the flare-up is to incorporate daily breath work. This will help to calm your nervous system and lower the stress hormones that are likely triggering the flare-up. Two of my favourite simple methods are box breathing and 4-7-8 breathing.

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