What is a Migraine, Anyway?
The World Health Organization recognizes headache disorders are among the most common disorders of the nervous system. It is caused by the activation of a mechanism deep in the brain that leads to release of pain-producing inflammatory substances around the nerves and blood vessels of the head.
The problem with modern medicine is many different hospitals, organizations, and physicians have differing opinions of migraine.
For example, the Mayo Clinic believes though migraine causes aren’t understood, genetics and environmental factors appear to play a role.
National Headache Foundation states the pain of migraine occurs when excited brain cells trigger the trigeminal nerve to release chemicals that irritate and cause swelling of blood vessels on the surface of the brain.
Because there is no general consensus, migraine sufferers may become a revolving door patient, testing and trying many medications – or better off, may spend years before a formal diagnosis happens.
You can’t forget about the 50% misdiagnosis rate for sufferers.
This is problematic because of the diversity of symptoms experienced by migraine patients. Successful treatment requires a complex neurological evaluation, involving multiple neurochemical, cellular, hormonal, neuropsychological, and neurobiological processes. Migraine is a multifaceted neurobiological phenomenon that involves the activation of diverse neurochemical and cellular signaling pathways in multiple regions of the brain.
If the neurologist, physician, or healthcare professional is not trained in the way for you to address your root cause, you are more likely to experience pain. Worst part about this…you may never get the care you deserve.
MENT™ Migraine Definition
We believe the true definition of migraine should be two or more triggers simultaneously firing creating a neurological response.
If we use this definition, it helps you and us begin to understand what the triggers and stimuli may be, and in turn, what lifestyle interventions in real-time may help mitigate symptoms.
If we do this correctly, that is where you begin to experience improved quality of life.
Integrative Approach To Prevention
Given the difficulties with diagnosis and pharmacological efficacy for migraine, migraineurs are an ideal population to study alternative practices and prevention.
Extensive preclinical studies have identified neurochemical, cellular, hormonal, neuropsychological, and neurobiological targets for potential intervention. Identification of environmental factors may be helpful to reduce attack frequency. There is a strong need in clinical practice for alternative approaches for both acute and preventive treatment.
How The MENT™ Protocol Can Help
Throughout the 18-weeks, participants are taught how to understand their symptoms and triggers to discover how to influence their neurochemical, cellular, hormonal, neuropsychological, and neurobiological processes through lifestyle intervention.
Dr. Deborah Carver-Hodges, MD.
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- National Headache Foundation. Migraine. https://headaches.org/2012/10/25/migraine/
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. How a migraine happens. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/headache/how-a-migraine-happens
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- Fila, Michał et al. “Mitochondria in migraine pathophysiology – does epigenetics play a role?.” Archives of medical science : AMS vol. 15,4 (2019): 944-956. doi:10.5114/aoms.2019.86061
- Leonardi, Matilde & Raggi, Alberto. (2019). A narrative review on the burden of migraine: When the burden is the impact on people’s life. The Journal of Headache and Pain. 20. 10.1186/s10194-019-0993-0.
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