Managing Migraine Headaches

Migraine Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

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Similar to the way people can be allergic to food or have an intolerance towards a property found in certain types of food (ex. lactose intolerance), some migraines can be triggered  by certain types of food. It isn't classified as an allergic reaction, but in some people, ingestion of certain foods seem to set off the constriction and inflammation of the blood vessels that are often associated with migraine. Because of its relation to food this type of migraine is commonly know as a food migraine.

As studies, surveys, and research have been done on food migraines, doctors and scientists have been able to pinpoint some of the more common foods connected to this type of migraine. The most common among the migraine sufferers testes are alcohol (red wine in particular), bananas, cheese, citrus fruits, and chocolate. Other common foods are:

Apart from triggering the migraine attack, some foods can simply make the pain of a migraine much worse. This is still considered a food migraine.

The foods mentioned in the list above are not the only ones that can cause a food migraine or make it worse. There are plenty of other foods that have gone into the list of possible migraine triggers. According to a study done by Dr. J Gordon Millichap, MD., foods that contain certain amines, such as tyramine, phenylethylamine, and histamine are what triggers the migraines. These amines can be found in a variety of food. Dr. Millichap's list ranges from fish to berries, from chicken to vegetables, and from beef to beer. And though some people agree with the long list Millichap gave, others claim that not everything on the list is a migraine trigger.

In reality, the trigger for a food migraine is often dependent on a person's system. Some foods may trigger migraines in others while those same foods may actually help others overcome the pain of their headaches. Because of this, many migraine sufferers recommend going through an elimination diet. This type of diet involves cutting out the most common migraine foods and seeing if this helps lessen the frequency or intensity of the attacks. If this works, a person can then slowly begin adding foods back into their diet, one by one, and using a food diary to take note of which foods they ate that day and whether or not it led to a migraine within that week. (This process is further detailed in another article.)

It is important to remember that though food migraines are recognized to exist, food is not the only trigger for a migraine. Doing an elimination diet and keeping a food diary may help you, but it isn't a guarantee that you will be free of migraines for the rest of your life. This is why dietary restrictions are not considered a method of treatment, and why it is still advisable that you consult your doctor before you begin.

According to Millichap, certain chemicals in foods called amines, such as tyramine, phenylethylamine, and histamine are often the culprits.

Tyramine is found in higher concentrations in foods that have been fermented, such as:

• Aged or blue cheese

• Yogurt

• Smoked, cured or pickled meat or fish

• Red wine or beer

• Soy sauce, miso, tempeh

Foods containing phenylethylamine include:

• Cheesecake

• Yellow cheeses

• Chocolate

• Citrus fruit

• Chocolate

• Cocoa

• Berry pie filling or canned berries

• Red wine

Foods containing histamine include:

• Banana

• Beef, pork

• Beer

• Cheese, especially yellow ripened

• Chicken liver

• Egg Plant

• Fish, shellfish

• Processed meat, such as salami

• Sauerkraut

• Tempeh, tofu, miso, tamari

• Spinach

• Strawberry

• Tomato, tomato sauce, tomato paste

• Wine

• Yeast and foods containing yeast

• Pineapple

• Citrus fruit

• Chocolate

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