Pittaj Shirashool (Migraine-Type Headache)

Pittaj Shirashool: Migraine-Type Headache

Pittaj Shirashool arises from vitiated Pitta dosha due to spicy foods, heat exposure, anger, or alcohol, localizing heat and inflammation in the head's vascular channels. Primary symptoms include sharp, burning head pain (shirah daha), eye burning/redness (akshi ruja), excessive thirst (trishna), giddiness (bhrama), sweating (sweda), and yellowish vision or nausea.

Pain intensifies midday, with hot smoke sensation in the head (shiro dhumayana), bitter taste, and sensitivity to light/heat; cold applications or night-time often relieve it. Pathogenesis involves Pitta afflicting rakta and sadhaka pitta, dilating cranial vessels and causing throbbing akin to modern migraine auras and photophobia.

Management focuses on Sheetala chikitsa: cooling pastes (chandana lepa), purgation (virechana) with Trivrit, ghee medicated with drugs like Aaragwadha, and herbs such as Brahmi or Jatamansi to pacify Pitta. Shirodhara with cooling oils balances doshas, preventing recurrence; prognosis favors early cases without Vata involvement.