Migraines and Venous Insufficiency can be quite painful, and you may take a class of medications for them known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).  Examples of NSAIDs include:

  • ibuprofen
  • naproxen
  • diclofenac
  • celecoxib
  • mefenamic acid
  • etoricoxib
  • indomethacin
  • high-dose aspirin

These medications can be great for short term or temporary use, but if you have a chronic condition that alters your quality of life to the point that you feel the need to continue to take daily high doses of these medications for long periods of time, there are two particular issues that may occur: digestive problems and kidney damage.

Digestive problems may present as:

  • indigestion
  • abdominal pain or cramping
  • gas
  • bloating
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • food intolerances
  • food cravings
  • fatigue
  • brain fog
  • trouble sleeping
  • hormone imbalances
  • mood swings

Kidney damage can lead to kidney disease.  Symptoms associated with kidney disease include:

  • fatigue
  • weakness
  • feeling cold
  • shortness of breath
  • trouble thinking clearly
  • swelling in hands or feet
  • feeling itchy
  • darkening discoloration of lower legs
  • swollen or puffy face
  • foamy urine
  • trouble sleeping
  • feel the need to urinate more often
  • muscle cramping due to electrolyte imbalances (such as calcium and phosphorous)

Compromised renal arteries and compromised renal (kidney) function may also lead to high blood pressure.  However, as is the case with blood pressure, you may not experience any symptoms of kidney damage.  This is why it is important to get routine labs done annually at a minimum.  Have your general practitioner to run a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) to assess your electrolytes, GFR, BUN, and Creatinine. Have them do a Urinalysis to assess if you have protein in your urine, which is also a sign of kidney damage.  Have them also check your Albumin to Creatinine ratio.

Digestive issues and food sensitivities can contribute to migraines and venous insufficiency.  One of the actions I have my clients do is remove certain foods from their consumption and add certain foods in to create a more anti-inflammatory diet.  I will restore digestive function if indicated.  If a woman says her migraines get worse around her period, I will check her hormones and begin to rebalance them.  I combine these with the use of lifestyle changes, herbs and other natural substances to create a customized comprehensive strategy to rebalance the body, reduce symptoms and restore health.

Horse chestnut is an herb that can induce contraction of veins and improve vascular resistance.  It also helps to decrease capillary permeability.  It is an astringent, anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory and reduces spasms.

Feverfew is indicated where pain seems to be related to unequal circulation of blood of flow to an area of the body.  It has been used for migraines, is anti-inflammatory and can also decrease serotonin and histamine release.

Migraines and Venous Insufficiency are a form of chronic pain.  Although we should be grateful for pain medication and acknowledge that it can greatly improve quality of life, there are reasons that your body may be experiencing symptoms, and that is what a Naturopathic doctor like myself addresses through effective natural approaches.

Ready to restore your health?  Schedule a consultation by:

  • Clicking HERE
  • Calling 281-231-2811

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