- Prof. K.R. Kohli, M.D. [Ay] Ph. D Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause multiple symptoms. It’s frequently characterized by intense, throbbing pain or a pulsating sensation debilitating usually on one side of the head. Pain present in migraine can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities. Migraines often run in families and affect all ages. The diagnosis of migraine headaches is determined based on clinical history, reported symptoms, and by ruling out other causes. The most common categories of migraine headache are those without aura (previously known as common migraines) and those with aura (previously known as classic migraines). Signs & Symptoms- Prodrome Phase-Migraine symptoms may begin one to two days before the headache itself. This is known as the prodrome stage. Symptoms during this stage can include: fatigue or low energy, frequent yawning, hyperactivity, irritability, neck stiffness etc. Aura- In migraine with aura, the aura occurs after the prodrome stage. During an aura, person may have problems with your vision, sensation, movement, and speech. Examples of these problems include: difficulty speaking clearly, feeling a prickling or tingling sensation in the face, arms, or legs, seeing shapes, light flashes, or bright spots. Actual Migraine attack-The next phase is known as the attack phase. This is the most acute or severe of the phases when the actual migraine pain occurs. In some people, this can overlap or occur during an aura. Attack phase symptoms can last anywhere from hours to days. Symptoms of a migraine can vary from person to person. Some symptoms may include: increased sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, dizziness or feeling faint, pain on one side of your head, either on the left side, right side, front, or back, or in your temples, pulsing and throbbing head pain, vomiting. Postdrome Phase-After the attack phase, a person will often experience the postdrome phase. During this phase, there are usually changes in mood and feelings. These can range from feeling euphoric and extremely happy, to feeling very fatigued and apathetic. A mild, dull headache may persist. Migraine attacks last for hours to days. Migraine treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and preventing future attacks. Initial treatment includes avoidance of triggers, pain medication such as Paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen and medication for the nausea. When simple pain medications fail, specific medications such as triptans or ergotamines may be used. Ayurveda lays emphasis on ‘’Head” (Shira) by terming it as the Uttamanga - The most vital part of the body because all the indriyas (Sense organs) are located in the head along with the Prana (life) of the individual. Shira being seat of Prana and Indriyas is considered under Dashvidha Pranayatanas and Pradhan Marma in Ayurveda. Various Ayurvedic Scholars have elaborated Shiro Roga with Shira Shoola as the chief symptom (Headache Disorders) which describes the prevalence of the diseases from ever since and need of requiring their proper management. Shirashula is collectively used for all the aches and discomfort in the region of cranial vault .Many dietetics, personal, environmental and behavioural factors are responsible for causing headache. It may manifest a disease as whole or it may be a symptom of other disease. Acharya Shushruta has explained 11 types of Shiro Rogas, namely - 1. Vatika, 2. Pittaja, 3. Kaphaja, 4.Raktaja, 5. Sannipataja, 6. Kshayaja, 7.Krimija, 8. Suryavarta, 9. Anantavata, 10. Ardhavabhedaka, 11. Shankhaka. Migraine can be correlated to Ardhavbhedaka disease mentioned under Shirogat Vyadhi in Ayurvedic system of medicine. According to Acharya Shushruta the Shiro Roga in which intense pain occurs in half part of head for a period of multiple days days has been termed as Ardhavabhedaka. The nature of the pain in this type of Shiro Roga has been described of pricking nature - like that of a piercing needle and tearing pain and the pain is mainly present in forehead, eyebrow, ear, eye and temporal region. The severe pain is associated with mental confusion. Vitiation of all the three Doshas is chiefly responsible for Ardhavabhedaka Ayurvedic Treatment of Migraine: Avoidance of precipitating factors whenever possible, consuming compatible diet and modification in lifestyle are recommended. Panchakarma treatments include Snehana (Oleation) with Balaguduchyadi Taila, Swedana (Nadissweda and Upanaha Sweda), Virechana (medically induced purgation), Anuvasana Basti (Medicated enema), Shirovirechana / Nasya (instillation of medicines in nostrils) with Kshira and Ghrita or Anutaila or shunthi with milk, Raktamokshana (Bloodletting), Shiroabhyanga (head massage) and Shiro Lepa (application of medicine on scalp, head). Shunthi, Yashthimadhu, Godanti Bhasma, Pravala Pisthi are useful in migraine. Ayurvedic preparations like Swarna Sutashekhara Rasa, Laghusutashekhara Rasa and Kalyanaka Ghrita are useful. Many patients suffering from migraine benefitted and most of them have got full cure from customized Ayurvedic treatment coined by Dr. Kohli. Migraine episodes and their severity have been found to be significantly reduced in the first month of treatment. It takes around 3-4 months for a complete cure. ( Courtesy - http://www.kohliayurveda.com)

In modern medicine, Chemotherapy is the most effective treatment for cancer patients. Nevertheless, it is a systemic therapy that can affect other parts of the body and result in complications. While it is used to contain the growth of cancerous cells inside the body, chemotherapy can negatively impact the healthy cells of the body at the same time. The radiation process involved in the therapy takes a toll on the immunity which can become severe. Accelerated hair fall, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, sore mouth, etc. It can be the many side effects of the Chemotherapy. Ayurveda and Cancer prevention Ayurveda proposes that the lack of life force (prana) causes malignancies like cancer to occur in the body. When an imbalance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha creates the environment for toxic accumulation in the body, it leads to the manifestation of complex diseases. The dominance of each of these doshas can lead to a specific type of cancer. Since prevention is a vital aspect of Ayurveda, it lays down a few guidelines for diet and herbal medication, which can lower the possibilities of cancer onset sharply. By consulting a qualified Ayurveda Doctor, you can understand well what you should eat and what you shouldn’t if your body is showing adverse symptoms and manage the disease better with appropriate herbal medicare. The expert’s recommendation varies for everyone since the constitution (Prakriti) of the individual plays an important role in determining that. Ayurveda can help you beat cancer more positively. Ayurveda can reduce the adverse effects of Chemotherapy significantly Several renowned hospitals in India and abroad have integrated Ayurveda in the patient care regimen post the Chemotherapy session. It has been observed that this approach reduced complications and adverse effects in the chemo patients by 60-70 percent with the very first application. The panchakarma therapy in combination with prescribed herbal medication offered major relief to the patients, not just by reducing the complications but mitigating the pain as well. the cost of Ayurveda care is not too high either and quite affordable. Encouraged by these findings, further and extensive research is being done on the scope and effectiveness of Ayurveda. Based on these facts, cancer patients can breathe new hope and seek better management of this highly unfortunate and life-threatening disease. Talk to an Ayurveda expert at the earliest if you or someone close to you has been suffering from cancer and the pain involved with it and has seen no improvement so far. Meanwhile, these are some dietary tips to follow: Mustn’t have for Cancer patients Avoid food that is rich in sugar Refrain from taking processed sugar Cold drinks and alcohol are a strict no-n Do not eat food that has preservatives Avoid meat consumption Fatty, oily, fried food is forbidden Do not eat processed or refined food items Must-haves for Cancer patients Include a mild quantity of raw spices in food Eat fresh and green vegetables Oats, barley, and rye are the recommended grains Broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, and tomatoes are ideal Eat citrus fruits like orange and lime Avoid sweet fruits like banana and mango  

So many times, due to a hectic schedule, sedentary work habits, or sleeping in the wrong posture you have to experience the neck pain. It can indeed be quite bothersome as the pain can further spread to head, forehead, shoulders or arms. There can be various reasons for neck pain but mainly it is due to wrong posture, unhealthy habits, strenuous lifestyle, some injury or any chronic diseases. An injury or chronic disease is not in our control but the other reasons which comprise about the maximum cases of neck pain can surely be checked. As it is said that prevention is better than cure, it is better to take follow some best practices to avoid the possibility of neck pain. Here are some health safeguards which can be very effective in preventing neck pain: a) In maximum cases of neck pain, the cause of the pain is the wrong posture. Hence the most important measure to prevent neck pain is to maintain the right posture. Some of the things you can implement in your daily practices are: When you sit or stand, the shoulders must be in a straight line with the hips and ears should be directly above the shoulders. This ensures that your neck remains straight. It is obvious that due to the demand for work, sitting for long hours in front of a computer is normal practice, but it should be ensured that the monitor is at eye level so that there is no requirement of a bending neck for a longer duration. It must be also taken care that a break is taken between the long sitting hours to relax and stretch the neck and shoulders. The bending of the neck in between ear and shoulder to speak on the phone while driving or for any other reason should be strictly avoided. Maintaining the right posture while sleeping is very important, try using a soft small pillow which supports and maintains the natural curve of the neck. Avoid the strain in the neck, doing anything which makes your head bend for longer duration should be avoided. b) Lifestyle exercises are a good way to avoid neck pain. The exercise should include neck exercise, stretching, and walking or jogging. c) Healthy eating-eating right is very important for a healthy body. to prevent the neck pain one must avoid the food which can cause an inflammation. For example, something too cold, too spicy, too bitter, or too astringent should be avoided. drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated is always recommended. the foods which have calcium, vitamin d, and fibers should be consumed more. Role of Ayurveda - Ayurveda has not only cure for any pain or disease but ayurveda also helps in the prevention of the pain .for prevention of neck pain, in addition to the right posture, vyayama and eating healthy, Ayurveda has various therapies. the therapies such as Nithya Abhyanga, Greeva Vasti, Pinda Sweda and Dhara help in relaxing our body, lubricate the tissues and muscles as well as rejuvenate the body. An individual can avail of these therapies to prevent pain.

The pain in the joints has become a very common issue, blame it on the kind of lifestyle we have or the hectic schedule. We often ignore the demands of our body; as a result, the health gets comprised. Pain in the knee, back, shoulders or neck is all the signs through which our body tells us that we need to pay attention to our health. Out of these pains, neck pain is the problem of many people. The neck is part of the body that supports the head and allows the head for any kind of motion. The pain in the neck not only affects the neck but it sometimes affects the other body parts such as head, forehead, and arms making the pain unbearable. Neck pain should be not taken lightly and the person should accordingly take the treatment before it becomes severe. It is also very important to know the causes and symptoms of neck pain. Symptoms Of Neck Pain: The symptoms of neck pain are: Severe pain in neck Nausea or vomiting Inability to move arms or hands Trouble swallowing or feeling of lump in neck Headache Fever Throat pain Stiff neck Tenderness Tingling or weakness in arms Causes of Neck Pain Neck pain can due to various reasons; a) The first and foremost reason for neck pain is due to strain or sprains in muscles. This could be due to reasons such as sleeping in the wrong position, the poor posture of the neck, jerk in the neck while doing any activity, desk work or working on computers for long hours. The strain in the neck is basically because of the bad postures of the neck which can be blamed on our lifestyle or any particular habit. b) An injury or accident which causes harm to the neck can be a reason for neck pain. c) Meningitis is a medical condition that often leads to stiff neck. d) There are plenty of medical conditions that lead to chronic neck pain these are; rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, spinal stenosis, cervical spondolysis, disc herniation. These medical conditions when affecting the cervical vertebrae leads to the pain in the neck. Generally, people don't take neck pain seriously until it becomes severe. Or else people try to get the solution of neck pain through painkillers. However, this is not the right way to deal with neck pain. If your neck pain has become a constant problem, it is better to take the proper treatment. The Ayurvedic treatment for neck pain proves to be very positive as Ayurveda deals the problem of any pain by understanding the root cause of the pain. In Ayurveda, neck pain is a situation that arises because of aggravated Vata dosha in the neck region. The Ayurvedic treatment of neck pain includes methods such as: Ø Use of medicines made from ayurvedic herbs some of which are Rasna, Ashwagandha, Dasamoolha. These medicines are made from natural herbs. Ø The person suffering from pain are given various ayurvedic treatments were the main aim is to relieve the pain in a soothing way. these therapies are Shiro Dhara, Shiro Vasti, Abhyangam, Greeva Vasthi, and Nasyam. Ø The Ayurvedic treatment also includes diet management and exercise which helps in relieving the stress which is very important for the body. Image reference: source/link: https://goo.gl/images/y3akco