Healthy For Ever

Introduction: Basilar Artery Migraine involves a disturbance in one of the major artery at the base of the brain. Basilar Artery Migraine (BM) is also named as Basilar Migraine Headache, Basilar Migraine, Vertebrobasilar Migraine, Bickerstaff Syndrome and Syncopal Migraine. But it is popular as Basilar-type Migraine. No much information has been found to detail the Migraine of the Basilar Artery. Still there is a lot of mystery to be revealed in regards to the various signs and symptoms.

History: Dr. Edwin Robert Bickerstaff, a neurologist, Wales was the first person to identify this condition. He had two patients, a teen and an older man. Both of them suffered from almost identical symptoms. Both of their symptoms were related to the basilar artery o the brain. This artery supplied blood to the brain. This is how it got the name of Bickerstaff’s Migraine (as per the neurologist’s name), or Basilar Artery Migraine (due to the involvement of the basilar artery to cause the migraine). He found the disease more common in women than in men. Today’s research confers that the ratio is 3 women to 1 man roughly. But the attack was seen to decrease as the younger mass entered their 20s and 30s. The most earliest theory suggested that some spasms were caused in the basilar artery. Today’s modern science has proved that migraine is more a vascular headache. It has its roots in the brain. This migraine has its roots at the brain stem.

Common Symptoms As With Other Migraines:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Cold hands or feet

Typical Symptoms In Basilar-type Migraine:

• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Temporary blindness
• Balance loss
• Confusion
• Hearing impairments
• Tingling is felt in body
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Intense throbbing or Pulsating pain in one or both sides of head and rarely at the backside

Symptoms Preceding Headache:

• Vertigo
• Double vision (Diplopia)
• Poor muscular coordination
• Dysarthria
• Impaired ability to control voluntary movements (Ataxia)
• Tinnitus
• Finger paresthesia
• Toe paresthesia
• Fainting or continuous loss of consciousness (Syncope)
• Severe headache, throbbing headache, Occipital headache
• Vomiting
• Unsteadiness
• Tingling sensation in body
• Temporary blindness
• Disorientation
• Slurred speech

Cause: The pain do not start from the artery. Hence its name is replaced as Basilar-type Migraine. But they are caused due to problems in sending the activities of some chemicals which send messages throughout our brain. But no much is known except for the fact that the basilar artery is involved. The attack seems to occur either in the stem of the brain or in both the cerebral hemispheres. This is what determines the way of the attack and the treatment mode. But the following may trigger the occurrence of the pain:

• Alcohol consumption
• Extreme stress
• Lack of proper sleep
• Certain medications
• Hunger
• Hormonal changes in females
• Bright lights
• Caffeine
• Food Nitrates
• Extreme physical exertion
• Environmental factors including temperature, humidity, weather or altitude
• Some particular food items like – Chocolates, Dairy, Eggs, Oranges, Rye, Tomatoes, Wheat etc.

Risks Associated And Diagnosis: Many symptoms are much common with many other serious disorders like – Brain Lesions, Brainstem Arteriovenous Malformation, Hemiphlegic Migraine, Meningitis, Seizure Disorders, Stroke, Tumor, Vertebrobasilar Disease etc. Basilar migraine can also be confused with hemiplegic migraine. So a medical confirmation is a must. A CT, MRI or an EEG may be done to check presence of any other deadly problem. Most people with basilar migraine are prone to stroke. So the risks must be tried to keep extremely low. The auras can even make a person debilitated.

Treatment: Treatment is quite similar as in case of other migraines. As much research has not been carried out specifically so no specific treatments are yet found.

• Avoidance of any identified triggers. (If not identified, try to avoid all the common triggers of migraine).
• Analgesics (pain killers) may be used to reduce pain.
• Anti-emetics may be taken to prevent nausea and vomiting.
• Usage of few abortive medications like Triptans (they attach themselves to the serotonin receptors to reduce the inflammation and constricts the blood vessels. they include- Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax and Zomig) and Ergotamines is restricted. But a rethought is being suggested by the researchers.
• Advil Migraine and Motrin Migraine have been approved by the FDA for their use in treating migraines. These medications reduce the inflammation which causes the pain.
• Excedrin Migraine (a combination of Acetaminophen, Aspirin and Caffeine) is also effective. The rate of success with drugs varies. It depends on the response one shows towards the drug action and of course the side effects.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be helpful but only if taken under medical prescription.
• Counseling, Relaxation techniques, Meditation, Acupuncture and Biofeedback have been found to be equally effective in many people suffering from Basilar Artery Migraine.

Prevention: A regular and proper record with all details of your attack is of most help.

• Try to identify the triggers that stimulate the onset of migraine in you. And avoid them.
• Maintain a healthy and a systematic lifestyle by the following ways:
  • Adequate sleep
  • Limiting the level of stress
  • Regular exercise
  • Proper and advisable diet
  • Avoiding smokes, tobacco, drugs and alcohol
  • Never skip meals
  • Limiting intake of caffeine
• Prevention medicines may also be taken. Many migraine prevention drugs have now been approved by the FDA. Most common among them are include Inderal, a beta-blocker(slows the heart rate); Anticonvulsants (Topamax and Depakote); Norvasc (a calcium channel blocker to inhibit the widening of the arteries by blocking serotonin release); certain Antidepressants etc.

The herb Tribulus Terrestris is grown throughout India. This herb is mentioned in Ayurveda as Gokshura. It is known in recent times that the herb has potential to increase the testosterone hormone in males. This article tries to gain further insight on the benefits of the herb.

Knowledge Gained from Research on Tribulus Terrestris:

• First reports of this herb’s extracts to increase the urge for physical intimacy appeared around 1970s in Europe.
• Though research studies carried out on this herb report of positive results in experimental animals, no such results are available on in the case of humans.
• From research it is learnt that the main chemical component present in this herb is Protodioscin.
• This chemical substance is believed to possess the potential of increasing the testosterone hormone in males.
• Hormones are naturally present chemical substances which helps the organs in our body to function properly.
• Testosterone hormone is responsible for building the urge for physical intimacy in men.
• The possibility of any side effects by taking this herb’s extracts are known to be very rare from research.

Ancient alternative medicinal practices like Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicinal practice and Unani Medicine also mentioned this herb to be an Aphrodisiac. A substance is called so if it has the ability to increase the urge of physical intimacy in humans.

Roots and fruits of Tribulus Terrestris are used from olden days to treat cough, asthma, fatigue and wounds. Leaves are known to relieve pain, treat leprosy and other related skin diseases. Paste prepared from the leaves can treat stones in the bladder. Seeds are useful in treating ulcer and haemorrhages.

Abdominal Migraine often occurs in around 2-4% of children between ages 5-9. It is also named as Periodic Syndrome. A pain in the abdomen is felt without any headaches. The Abdominal Migraine pain may last for 1-72 hours. Nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, irritation and loss of appetite often accompanies with the headache. The patient appears pale or flushed with dark circles under eyes. This condition is seen very rarely in adults. Abdominal migraine may also be mistaken at first for appendicitis. The peak incidence of this pain starts by three and a half years of age and more common in girls. It is found to be related to the Area Post-trema of the brain which is also related to the migraine pain. A disordered intestinal motility causes it.

Symptoms of Abdominal Migraine:

• Recurrent pain at the central abdomen (around the umbilicus or belly button) for several hours,
• Pain associated with nausea, vomiting and sometimes one-sided headache,
• Paleness in the sufferer,
• Paleness in pulse beating,
• Flushed appearance,
• Visual disturbances,
• Appearance of light flashes,
• Tingling or numbness around arm, mouth and may be in one-sided body,
• Splurred speech,
• Weakness in muscles,
• Rare occurrence of Paralysis,
• Emotional withdrawal,
• Unusual sleeping pattern,
• Disliking or sensitivity to sound and light,
• Pain may interfere in daily life activities,
• Pain starting in the morning typically,
• Recurrent pains with symptoms-free intervals.

Diagnosis of Abdominal Migraine:

No definite tests are performed to identify the condition. A careful case study and family history can be of great help. Some form of scanning images (like in an Electro-encephalography or EEG) may also help in detection of symptoms occurring due to this condition. The same condition is found in mothers. Visual Evoked Response (VER) test can help in indicating this condition using red and white flash lights. But other basic tests may be performed to get a confirmation of if any bowel infections or other conditions are associated with the pain and symptoms.

Treatment of Abdominal Migraine:

After the onset of the pain, rest and reassurance can help more than medications. Dark and peaceful environment (without noise and light) are very much preferred. But prevention is the best mode of treatment. Treatments are the same as in usual migraine pains. All the things that can trigger your migraine pain are needed to be avoided. Extreme stress, high temperatures, bright lights, flickering lights, long term viewing of television or computer screen, excess of sweets or chocolates, caffeines, cheese, monosodium gluatamate (ajinomoto), fizzy drinks or any other allergen that can initiate your pain. Ibuprofen and Paracetamol may help in providing a little relief. Long term preventive medicines are prescribed for those who suffer from frequent and more troubled pains. Cyproheptadine, Propanolol, Fluoxetine are also some common medication names.

Most children those who are prone to abdominal migraine frequently are likely to develop migraine as they grow adult.

Migraine pain is classified into three types basing on its intensity of pain:

• Mild pain: This type of migraine pain is very mild in its severity as per the name suggests. It does not interfere with our usual activities.
• Moderate pain: This pain is more severe than the mild pain and may inhibits your daily activities. However, does not prevent usual activities totally.
• Severe pain: This type of pain is very sever which can make you feel extremely sick and can hinder all your activities.

Classification on the basis of symptoms:

• Migraine with aura (Classical migraine):
  This kind of migraine is preceded by an aura before the attack. The aura occurs for about 10-30 minutes and then is usually followed by a headache. It is quite similar to a common migraine except in the aspect of the aura.
• Migraine without aura (common migraine):
  A migraine without aura shares same symptoms as with classical migraine except that it does not exhibit any aura. This is not a life-threatening disorder but can be chronic and recurrent; interfering with a person’s daily lifestyle.

Both the above types show usual pain, intolerance to light & sound, nausea and vomiting in common. These symptoms gets worsened by any physical activity.

A Migraine equivalent occurs in association with visual symptoms like psychic disturbances or partial vision, blind spots, without headaches. The most common form of migraine equivalent is ‘abdominal migraine’ or ‘periodic syndrome’. It is common in female children, which results in frequent episodes of vomiting and abdominal pain without headache lasting for hours. Usually a family history is associated. Nausea, vomiting, yawning, flushing and drowsiness may appear during abdominal migraine attacks.

Sida Cordifolia is a herbal plant present in the tropical forests of India and Brazil. Traditionally, this herbal plant is used to reduce wounds and asthama and bronchitis. However, research done on this herbal plant in recent times, cites that plant is beneficial in treating other ailments too. This article lists the traditional and research facts of this herbal plant.

Traditional Knowledge about the Herb Sida Cordifolia:

• The juice of this herbal plant is used to treat Spermatorrhoea in men.
• The juice of the roots can be used to heal wound and relief pain.
• The bark of the herb can effectively cure facial paralysis and sciatica.
• The oils are applied on sore muscles and sore joints of arthritis and rheumatism patients.
• The herb is diaphoretic. It means can increase sweating. This can reduce fever.

Knowledge Gained from Research on the herb Sida Cordifolia:

• Research done on this herb confirm that it possess anti-inflammatory properties.
• It is found studies that the herb can relieve muscles and joint pain too.
• After from these confirmation of the traditional benefits, there are new revelations about the herb too.
• A research studies has reported that the herb has hypoglycaemic properties. A substance is said so when, it can reduce the blood sugar level in the body.
• The leaves of this herb are found to contain small amounts of chemical components ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
• It suggests that the herb can be used to prepare natural weight loss products.
• Obesity is notoriously connected to diabetes. This herb has the properties to treat these epidemic disorders together.

The causes of a migraine pain are many (like – food allergies, bright light, certain fragrance or odor, loud noise, emotional stress, heavy physical labor, bad sleeping habits, smoking or exposure to smoke, wrong eating habits, alcohol, hormonal imbalance, fluctuations in menstrual cycle, usage of hormonal pills or birth control pills, menopause symptoms, change in weather condition etc.). But you would be amazed to know that even Excitotoxin can trigger your migraine pain.

Migraine is a neurological (related to nervous system) syndrome (association of many symptoms like headaches and nausea). Migraine is more common in women. Migraine pain is characterized by a typical one-sided throbbing pain in the head. Preceding the start of the pain, patient may experience sensory warning signs like – light flashes, blind spots, tingling in arms and legs, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound. The pain may last for several hours and even days.

Excitotoxin stimulates a neuron (nerve cell) to a very unusual extent such that the cell dies. Glutamate is one of them which can cause most damage. The most common form of glutamate, which is used in food preparations as a flavor enhancer, is Monosodium glutamate (MSG). Its trade names being Accent, Ajinomoto and Vetsin.

These Glutamates are required by our brain in very minute amounts. They are helpful in thinking, movement, senses activities and memory functioning. But these can begin migraine on more amount of consumption. These are addictive.

Generally, L-glutamate is present in our body and in many of the foods we ingest. So our body has developed enzymes to break it down for use by our body. But D-glutamate is not produced inside our body, hence is considered as a foreign substance by our body tissues. So no enzymes are available in respect of this glutamate which makes it unfavorable to consume. But this does not mean that D-glutamate can be consumed in higher quantities.

Another exitotoxin, called Aspartate can also increase your migraine occurrence. This compound is found in most of the artificial sweeteners, which produces similar results as with L-glutamate. Liquid forms are more toxic as they get absorbed faster by our body tissues. Many researchers are also claiming that it can be even more dangerous after cooking. But no particular profs are associated with this statement.

So it is always better for everyone to avoid any forms of Exitotoxin as far as possible. It might not be causing migraine in many, but still the neural damage continues. It can also lead to Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease.

The herb Sapindus Mukorossi is known for its several benefits in India from olden days. Its medicinal benefits are mentioned in Ayurveda too. Research done on this herb in modern times are revealing new facts about the usefulness of the herb. This article tries to understand further about the herb.

Benefits of the Herb Sapindus Mukorossi from Olden Times:

• In Ayurveda, this herb is used to treat eczema and psoriasis.
• The herb is used as a hair conditioner because its pulp is a natural foaming agent.
• They are traditionally used to remove lice from the scalp.
• It can treat a number of diseases like nausea, cold, pimples, constipation and epilepsy.
• The herb is known to be an expectorant. A substance is called so when it can remove the mucus from the respiratory tract and makes breathing easy.
• The extracts of the herb is mixed with milk powder and clay to form facial for the skin.
• The herb removes stains from hands and soothes sensitive and itchy skin.
• Jewelers in India used the herb for removing tarnishes from silver and other precious metals.

Knowledge Gained about the herb Sapindus Mukorossi from Research:

• The herb contains a chemical component called Saponin.
• The presence of this component in high level makes the herb an antibacterial cleanser and mild foaming agent.
• This herb’s extract is used in cosmetics and textile industry too.
• Research done on this herb shows that it can treat migraine and chlorosis.
• Saponin is found to reduce the cholesterol level too in diabetic patients.

Nature has gifted us herbs. These herbs are rich in components which can treat and cure range of diseases. Mostly herbs are looked upon as means of home remedy. But they in their own right claim to be a branch of medicine. Especially in east, there are several such obscure and age old medicinal practices which are solely dependent on herbs and their medicinal benefits. For instance the ancient Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda. As new scientific tools and technologies are developing in the field of medicine, researchers are now focusing their attention towards these ancient medicinal practices. They have named them as Complementary therapy or alternative medicine. They are now interested in the gaining knowledge about the herbs and the chemicals present in this them. This field of knowledge is Phytotherapy.

Medical Science and New Diseases: Though there are path breaking innovations and discoveries in the field of medical science, there are several new disease reported too. These diseases are complex in origin and wide spread in nature. For instance Swine Flu. Some of the dreadful diseases which were age specific and limited in number in past, have become common these days without any age bar. For example Diabetes. These are some of the health problems for which medical science has no answer yet. Discovery of swine flu vaccine was possible after there were thousands of deaths world wide. Time understand the disease was crucial here. In case of diabetes, research is still on to address the disease permanently. Until now, medical science can only treat it.

Role of Phytotherapy: Medicines used to treat these diseases are not free from side effects. Along with the effectiveness of these medicines, comes undesirable health problems too. It is because these medicines contains man made chemicals. But herbs are well known to contain chemicals which have no side effects. Phytotherapy can provide knowledge and insight on various herbs and their chemical make up. In this way, several life threatening diseases can be addressed.

Unhealthy food is defined as that food which decreases health of the body. Unhealthy food can make you allergic too. Junk is consider as a good example for unhealthy food. Junk food carries a lot of food additives, variety of fats along with sugar and salt in large quantity making it unhealthy.

Refined food is also one of the most unhealthy food. This is because refined food lacks most of the nutritional and dietary necessities present in the food. One more drawback with refined food is that it is oxidized food which is generally considered as unhealthy.

Top 6 Unhealthy Food:

• Soda: Soda is considered as unhealthy because it contains 150 calories, 10 tea spoon of sugar, artificial colors, 33 – 55mg of caffeine and some sulphates. Diet soda which are used as artificial sweeteners are even more unhealthy.
• Potato Chips And French Fries: Both the chips and fries made from potato are one of the mo0st popular snack everywhere. But at the same time they are the most unhealthy food too because it contains acrylamide, carcinogen and neurotoxins which helps in baking or frying food at high temperatures. Acrylamides are considered as a cause for cancer generation in human body.
• Doughnuts: These are also tasty snacks liked by everyone but you must be aware that it has nothing but refined sugar and flour along with artificial flavors and oil with trans fats in it. Which makes it unhealthy food.
• Cake And Baked Goods: Nearly all the cakes and all the baked items including packaged cake and biscuits contains trans fats, additives which contains preservatives, colors and artificial flavors etc. Similarly, all the commercial baked goods are made up of hydrogenated oils along with lot of trans fats in them in good quantity.
• Hot Dogs and Burgers/Luncheon: Processed meats and all the items included in it contains sodium nitrite in large quantity Sodium nitrite is considered as a cancer causing ingredient. So intake of these in a large quantity can result in cancer formation.
• Fruit Juice And Fruit Cocktail: Fruit juices are considered as a beneficial drink for but packed juices have added sugars and lot of preservatives in them. This can be understood as one glass of grape will have 40 grams of sugar in it. So, be aware!.

Irregular heart beat or arrhythmia is a condition in which heart rates becomes irregular. It is a large and heterogeneous group of conditions in which an abnormal electrical activity takes place in the heart. Heart beat can either be too fast or too slow or it can be regular or irregular.

Sometimes this irregularity in the heartbeat can even result in a cardiac arrest and sudden death.

Symptoms Of Irregular Heart Beat:
The symptoms for irregular heart beat varies with different conditions. Some common symptoms includes:

• Abnormal awareness in heart beat. It means that the heartbeat can be either frequent, infrequent or continuous. Sometimes this do not pose any threat but sometimes it can be fatal too.
• In other condition there will be no symptom of irregular heart beat and they tend to be fatal.
• In such cases there are chances of blood clotting in the heart itself. This happens in those cases where heart is weak as sufficient amount of heart is not able to reach the heart.
• In case the heart beat is too fast or too slow or if it is too weak to cater the needs of the body then it can result in weakness, dizziness, or fainting.
• In extreme cases, immediate cardiac arrest can take place resulting in immediate death.

Causes Of Irregular Heartbeat:
The causes for irregular heat beat includes:

• Sudden changes in the muscles of the heart
• Any kind of coronary disease
• Imbalances in the electrolyte of the heart
• Previous attack which has resulted in any kind of injury to heart
• Healing process is under way after a heart surgery