Managing Migraine Headaches

Migraine Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Migraine Types & Their Remedies

Alternative Migraine Cures

Migraines in Children

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Choosing the Right Migraine Diet

Migraine is a disease that affects millions of people. Even with the myriads of research which has been done into it, it has not been clearly established what the exact cause of migraine is. One thing that has been established, though, is that migraines begin with a trigger.

Triggers are those foods and substances that initiate the chain reaction that lead to attacks. They cause certain vessels in the brain to enlarge and release chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. Triggers vary from one sufferer to the next. Chocolate, for example, might cause severe headaches in one but could be harmless in others. For this reason, a migraineur has to find the right migraine diet that works for him.

Avoiding triggers does not mean that no attacks will ever occur. There is no cure for migraine and the diet is there to lessen the instances of attacks. Being on the right migraine diet is an important element in the treatment and will make the disease more manageable.

There is also no single diet that works for everybody but a good starting point would be a well-balanced diet that contains lots of fruits, vegetables and grains. Maintaining the body at its optimum health means that it will be better able to cope with migraine and the other symptoms that come with it.

It is important for a migraine sufferer to identify his trigger foods. This may take a little bit of effort and some trial and error but one should take note of what was ingested right before the symptoms begin to manifest themselves.  Once the triggers are identified, then they should be avoided at all costs.

Some of the foods that have been recognized to cause attacks are those that contain tyramine, a byproduct of the breakdown of protein and commonly found in aged foods such as cheese and wine. Other triggers include processed meat, MSG, dairy, chocolate, alcohol, beans and nuts.

Realistically, it is impossible to avoid all these triggers because some of the substances may not be so obvious when mixed with other food. This can especially happen when eating at restaurants or being in gatherings where the meal was prepared by someone else. Hence, some doctors recommend taking preventive medication prior to eating.

In formulating the right migraine diet, it is helpful to remember that meals must be free of food with additives such as nitrites and food coloring, as they could possible cause increased blood flow to the brain. It is also best to stop using MSG.  Beverages that are too cold should also be avoided. Very cold drinks can give a person temporary pain that lasts for a few minutes but for a migraine sufferer, this can start an attack.

As important as sticking to the right migraine diet is not to skip meals. Missing a meal can develop a headache which can develop further into an attack. In relation to this, sufferers should note that any change in developed habits which the body has been used to can cause headaches. Aside from mealtimes, this also applies to sleeping hours.

Some people find it helpful to keep a diary of what they eat and when painful episodes set in. In this way, they are better able to plan meals and include or discard food for their migraine diet.

Managing a disease like migraine takes effort and time but knowing how it can help the sufferer to be pain-free as much as possible makes the endeavor worthwhile.

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