Ayurveda management of migraine - a case report

Migraine is one of the most prevalent causes of functional disability worldwide. Migraine patients experience headaches of varying degrees, which are related with a higher level of disability and are triggered by psychological and physiological stressors. Migraine is estimated to affect 16.6% of the world's population, with women being three times more likely to experience it than men. Despite considerable advancements in modern and traditional medicine, a complete cure remains uncertain. In Ayurvedic treatises, migraine headache is referred to as Ardhavabedhaka under the classification of Shiroroga (diseases related to the head region).

35-year-old Indian male police inspector, suffering from recurrent right hemi-cranial headaches once in three days for the last three months, presented symptoms of Tridhoshaja Ardhvabhedaka (Migraine) associated with Amlapitta (hyperacidity).

After a thorough assessment of the patient, the treatment was meticulously planned based on the patient's Dosha pradhanyatha and Vyadhi avastha (stage of disease). For the proper Samprapti vighatana, Nidana parivarjana (abstinance from the eitiological factors), Deepana, Paachana, Siravyadha, Nasya and Dosha Shamana Chikitsa principles were adopted. Further, the severity of the migraine was assessed by MIDAS and NPR score, which subsequently decreased from 19 to 4, and the NPR scale decreased from 8 to 2 till completion of the therapeutic intervention.

This case report unequivocally highlights the pivotal role of the Ayurveda treatment regimen in effectively managing migraine. Overall, effective treatment of migraine cases requires the correct assessment of Dosha status and Vyadhi avastha and the correct selection of the appropriate medicine and procedures like Siravyadha and Nasya at that appropriate stage of the disease.