Friday, April 15, 2011

Migraine Headaches and Food Triggers: Gary J. Maguire, PT Physical Therapist

MIGRAINE HEADACHES

Severe pain on one or both sides of the head, an upset stomach, and at times, disturbed vision characterize migraine headaches. Women are more likely than men to have migraine headaches, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Migraine headaches may last a day or more, several times a week or as rarely as once every few years. Noise, bright lights and concentration often make the headache worse.

Physiologic Mechanism

Current migraine headache research indicates that the initial stage starts with contractions of the inner and exterior brain blood vessels, followed by blood vessel dilation. During the initial stage there may be generalized cerebral ischemia, or blood flow and oxygen restriction to a part of the body. Vasodilation may affect nerve endings, causing throbbing headache symptoms. If you experience a classic migraine it involves an aura preceding the throbbing symptoms. You may see flashing lights or visual disturbances, spots or blotting out of your visual field.

Migraine Triggers

Evidence points to environmental factors that trigger the occurrence of migraines. Another major well known trigger is food. According to the National Headache Foundation, the vast majority of foods that that can trigger a migraine contain vasoactive or neuroactive amino acids such as tyramine, dopamine, phenylethylamine or monosodium glutamate. Additives such as triclorogalactosucrose or aspartame may also be trigger substances. Foods such as chocolate, wine or cheese have also been shown to contribute to the onset of migraines.

Food Intake

The relationship of food intake and onset of migraine headaches continues to be extensively researched. Evidence suggests that with migraine headaches it is not the food that is the primary cause, but due to different trigger mechanisms, foods induce or facilitate a migraine attack. In some patients consumption of food such as chocolate or red wine triggers the migraine but in other patients a combination of food is required, according to Seymour Diamond, M.D. in the Mar.1986 issue of "Postgraduate Medicine."

Diet Elimination

In the July 2010, "Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache," Kadriye Alpay, M.D. states that diet restriction based on IgG antibodies may prove to be an effective strategy in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks. The study confirms the importance of determination of specific IgG antibodies against food antigens for prevention and cure of food-induced migraine attacks. IgG antibodies help battle infections.

Food Allergy

Evidence suggests a relationship between hidden food allergies and migraine headaches. Success has been shown by developing an individualized food diet elimination in controlling migraine attacks. The allergen-specific IgG antibodies are found in a variety of foods such as milk products, food additives, sugar products, spices, seeds and nuts. Elimination diet is a challenge. It may involve eliminating all the major suspects that usually cause problems, then careful recording of headache onset as you slowly, over time, add them back into the diet one by one. Success may require consulting with a headache specialist.

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1 comment:

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