Migraine (Shaqeeqa) and its management in Unani medicine

Abstract

Out of many disease conditions suffered by mankind since ancient ages, Migraine holds a significant position. It is derived from the word “hemi-crania” and is a type of primary headache. This disease is mentioned in the ancient scriptures dating back to the Mesopotamian era. It has been documented by Hippocrates (460–377 BC) in his treatise, further explored and explained on the basis of cause and location by Galen (131–201 AD). Later its etiopathogenesis clinical features and management was described by Al-Razi (850–923 AD), an eminent Unani physician. Migraine is a disease majorly affecting one side of the head and characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating headache, mostly associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, with or without an aura. It is triggered by noise and light, based on the brightness, intensity, wavelengths or type of light that is being emitted. According to Unani physicians, the word Shaqeeqa is derived from Arabic word ‘Shiq’, meaning ‘a part’ or ‘a side’, hence the name Shaqeeqa. They describe it as a type of headache (Suda) in which pain occurs only in one side of head, and the causative factors for it are the morbid matters and morbid vapours (Bukharat e Radiya) arising from morbid humours which are either excessive in amount, too hot or too cold. It often results due to abnormal substantial temperament (Su-e-Mizaj Maddi) giving two variants acute (Shaqeeqa haar) and chronic (Shaqeeqa barid). The treatment mainly consists of elimination of morbid matter which is accumulated in the body, and strengthening the brain using brain tonics (Muqawwiyat-e-Dimagh).

Altered functional brain network patterns in patients with migraine without aura after transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation

“…Visual and auditory stimuli could enhance the intensity of headaches in migraineurs 82 . Compared to non-migraineurs, migraineurs are hyper-aware of everyday sounds (car horns, bells), which could cause migraine attacks 83 – 85 . Therefore, altered DC values in the FFG, ITG and cerebellar lobule VIII might suggest aberrant multisensory integration and pain perception in MwoA patients.…”

“…For example, the perception of normal touch, sound, smell and light is amplified in migraineurs 109 . Meanwhile, hyper-perception may lead to headaches or worsen headaches' intensity 83 – 85 . As a result, altered FC between the ITG with the ANG, PCG, and IPL in post-taVNS patients may indicate that the DMN might be involved in the modulatory effect of taVNS on MwoA patients.…”