Most Common Migraine Food Triggers

Following an earlier post on how oranges could be a trigger to your migraines, I’ve been asked about other triggers. Here is a list of some of the most common foods, beverages, and additives associated with migraine headaches:

Aged cheese and other tyramine-containing foods: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods. It is formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age. Generally, the longer a high-protein food ages, the greater the tyramine content. The amount of tyramine in cheeses differs greatly due to the variations in processing, fermenting, aging, degradation, or even bacterial contamination. For people who take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor medications to treat their headaches, it is especially important to avoid all foods containing tyramine, including aged cheeses, red wine, alcoholic beverages, and some processed meats, as these foods can trigger severe hypertension.

Alcohol: Blood flow to your brain increases when you drink alcohol. Some scientists blame the headache on impurities in alcohol or by-products produced as your body metabolizes alcohol. Red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne are the most commonly identified headache triggers.

Food additives: Food preservatives (or additives) contained in certain foods can trigger headaches. The additives, nitrates and nitrites, dilate blood vessels, causing headaches in some people.

Cold foods: Cold foods can cause headaches in some people. It’s more likely to occur if you are over-heated from exercise or hot temperatures. Pain, which is felt in the forehead, peaks 25 to 60 seconds and lasts from several seconds to one or two minutes. More than 90% of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream and cold substances.

Do Other Foods Trigger Headaches and Migraines? These foods have been identified as headache and migraine triggers by some sufferers.

Peanuts, peanut butter, other nuts and seeds
Pizza
Potato chip products
Chicken livers and other organ meats
Smoked or dried fish
Sourdough bread, fresh baked yeast goods (donuts, cakes, homemade breads, and rolls)
Bread, crackers, and desserts containing cheese
Certain fresh fruits including ripe bananas, citrus fruits, papaya, red plums, raspberries, kiwi, pineapple
Dried fruits (figs, raisins, dates)
Soups made from meat extracts or bouillon (not homemade broth)
Cultured dairy products, sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt
Caffeine found in chocolate and cocoa; beverages such as coffee, tea and colas; also found in certain medications
Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners

What Cheeses Have High Tyramine Levels? The following types of cheeses have been reported to be high in tyramine:

Blue cheeses
Brie
Cheddar
Stilton
Feta
Gorgonzola
Mozzarella
Muenster
Parmesan
Swiss
Processed cheese

Other foods high in tyramine are: aged, canned, cured or processed meats, certain beans (fava, broad, garbanzo, lima, pinto), onions, olives, pickles, avocados, raisins, canned soups, and nuts.

What Food Products Contain Additives?

Hot dogs
Ham
Sausage
Bacon
Luncheon meats and deli-style meats
Pepperoni
Other cured or processed meats
Some heart medications
MSG (monosodium glutamate). MSG is a food additive/flavor enhancer found in soy sauce, meat tenderizer, Oriental foods, and a variety of packaged foods.

What Are the Symptoms of Food Additive-Induced (Migraine) Headaches? Most symptoms begin within 20-25 minutes after consuming these products.

They include:

+ Pressure in the chest
+ Tightening and pressure in the face
+ Burning sensation in the chest, neck, or shoulders
+ Facial flushing
+ Dizziness
+ Headache pain across the front or sides of the head
+ Abdominal discomfort

Reviewed by Department of Neurology, Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic.

There are other triggers like wheat which I’ve covered in earlier posts. In addition to these, if there are any other types of food that cause migraines which haven’t been listed, please do share and write it in the comment box below.

PS Avoiding these food triggers is the first step to getting control over your migraines, step two is to detox (see store page for tried and tested detox products). I’ll write about the steps three and four in the next post.

The Truth About Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches (also used in singular: headache), also nicknamed suicide headaches, occur several times a day, they come on unexpectedly, do not last long, and are generally very painful. The pain is usually intense, and sometimes only on one side of the head. Frequently, the sufferer also feels pain around the eye.

A cluster-headache sufferer can wake up during the night because of the pain. Often, this occurs at the same time each night. The eye on the painful side of the head may be reddened and watery. The individual’s nose may be runny or blocked on the side of the nose where the pain is.

In northern countries cluster headaches tend to occur more frequently during the autumn (fall) and spring. Alcohol or extreme variations in temperature can trigger an episode during a cluster period – generally, the change in temperature refers to a rapid rise in body temperature.

Cluster headache attacks occur cyclically, hence the name. A bout of regular attacks – cluster periods – can last from a few days, weeks, to even months. This is followed by remission periods during which no headaches are felt.

Cluster headaches are not very common – they are said to affect about 1 in every 1,000 people. Unlike migraines, they affect men more often than women; about 80% of sufferers are men, most of them smokers. Fortunately, they generally have no long-term effects on the sufferer’s physical health. There are therapies, such as oxygen therapy, available which can significantly reduce the number and intensities of headaches.

Each cluster can last from 15 minutes up to several hours – the majority of cases do not last more than an hour. Typically, a patient will suffer from one to three clusters each day.

According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary:
Cluster headache is “possibly due to a hypersensitivity to histamine; characterized by recurrent, severe, unilateral orbitotemporal headaches associated with ipsilateral photophobia, lacrimation, and nasal congestion.”
What are the signs and symptoms of cluster headaches?
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, including a doctor or a nurse may detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.

Symptoms come on rapidly, generally without any warning, and they may include:
Intense pain, some describe it as excruciating. The pain is continuous, rather than throbbing. The pain often starts around the eye, and may then radiate to other parts of the head, including the face, and down to the neck and even the shoulders. Many patients feel pain in a temple or cheek.

• The pain remains on one side of the head
• The patient becomes restless.
• The eye on the side of the pain is watery and tearful
• The eye on the side of the pain reddens
• There may be swelling around the eye on the pain side
• Stuffy, blocked, or runny nose on the pain side
• Pallor – skin of the face is pale
• Face is sometimes sweaty
• Pupil size may shrink
• Eyelid on the pain side may droop

Patients often describe their pain as stabbing, sharp, burning and penetrating; as if a hot poker had been plunged into one of their eyes. The individual will usually pace around during the episodes of pain, unable to stay still for long. When they sit many may rock back and forth in an attempt to sooth the discomfort (sometimes this helps).

While migraine sufferers prefer to lie down during an attack, most people with a cluster headaches say that lying down worsens the pain.
Chronology of cluster headaches (time patterns)

A cluster period typically lasts from 1 to 12 weeks. They often start at similar calendar moments – perhaps during springtime or at some time in the fall (autumn).
Episodic cluster headaches – patients experience a series of searing headaches for about one week. Then nothing for six to twelve months. Then the week repeats itself.

Chronic cluster headaches – in this case the cluster periods can persist for several months, even for a year or longer. While periods of remission (periods with no pain) are short; perhaps just a month long.
A cluster period may consist of:
Daily occurrences, with symptoms appearing several times each day.
Just one attack, lasting from 15 minutes to up to three hours.
Attacks occur each day at approximately the same time.
Most attacks occur between 9pm and 9am (source: The Mayo Clinic, USA)
The pain will suddenly go as quickly as it appeared. Sufferers will be pain-free afterwards, and are often worn out.

If you start getting headaches, it is advisable to see your doctor. Usually, headaches do not have an underlying cause (some illness or condition). However, sometimes they do. It is important for the doctor to rule out any possible underlying causes.
What are the risk factors for cluster headaches?

In medicine, a risk factor is a condition, illness, situation or environment which raises the risk of developing a disease or condition. For example, obese people are more likely to develop diabetes type 2 compared to people of normal weight. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.

For cluster headaches, the risk factors include:
Being male – approximately 8 in every 10 sufferers are male.
Being an adult – nearly all suffers say their cluster headaches started after they were 20 years old.
Ethnic ancestry – people of African ancestry are twice as likely to suffer from cluster headaches, compared to Caucasian people.
Smoking - the majority of male sufferers are smokers.
Alcohol consumption – a significant proportion of sufferers claim that alcohol is a key trigger during a cluster period (not during remission periods).
Genetics – if you have a close relative (parent or sibling) who has (had) cluster headaches, your risk of having them yourself is greater.

What are the causes of cluster headaches?

Experts are unsure why cluster headaches occur. Some researcher neurologists have found that during an attack there is a great deal more activity in the hypothalamus – an area of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, and thirst. It is suggested that perhaps that area of the brain releases chemicals that cause blood vessels to widen, resulting in a greater bloodflow to the brain, and subsequent headaches.

If the hypothalamus does act in this way, nobody knows why. We do know that such things as alcohol or a sudden rise in temperature, or exercising in hot weather may trigger attacks.

Biology – The cyclical nature of cluster headaches suggests there it may be linked to our biological clock, which is located in the hypothalamus.

Hormones - researchers have found that many people who suffer from cluster headaches have unusual levels of melatonin and cortisol during their attacks.

Apart from alcohol, cluster headaches are not linked to the consumption of any foods.  Even with alcohol, it is only a trigger when the sufferer is in the middle of a cluster period.   Some association has been found between cluster headaches and mental stress or anxiety.

Experts say there may be a link between cluster headaches and some medications, such as nitroglycerin, which is used for the treatment of heart disease.
What are the treatment options for cluster headaches?

Currently, public opinion states that there is no treatment that can get rid of cluster headaches completely. Modern therapy aims to alleviate some of the symptoms, shorten the periods of headaches, and reduce their frequency.

OTC (over-the-counter, no prescription required) painkillers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen are not effective for cluster headaches; because the pain comes on rapidly and goes away quickly too. By the time the medication has started to work the headache has probably gone. Therefore, many medications and treatments for cluster headaches are either aimed more at prevention, or fast action.

Fast-acting treatments (acute treatments)
Inhaling 100% oxygen – most patients find that if they breathe in oxygen through a mask at 7 to 10 liters per minute they experience significant relief of symptoms within 15 minutes. The only problem with this therapy is that the patient has to have an oxygen cylinder and regulator close at hand – carrying them around can be cumbersome. There are some small units on the market. In some cases this kind of therapy only postpones symptoms, rather than alleviating them.

Local anesthetic nasal drops. It is very effective for the treatment of cluster headaches.

Surgery – if patients do not respond adequately to aggressive treatments, or cannot tolerate some medications, surgery may be recommended – even so, surgery is very rare. Surgery can only be performed once, and is only suitable for sufferers who have pain on just one side of the head. Surgical procedures include:

Conventional surgery – the surgeon cuts part of the trigeminal nerve, which serves the area behind and around the eye. This is not a procedure of first choice as there are risks to the patient’s eye.

Glycerol injection – glycerol is injected into the facial nerves. This effective treatment is safer than other surgical procedures.

Stimulator (still being tested) – a small device is implanted over the occipital nerve and sends impulses via electrodes. According to researchers from the Mayo Clinic, USA, a significant number of patients experienced reduced chronic headache pain. The device appears to be well tolerated and safe to use. Another study is looking into implanting a stimulator in the hypothalamus. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), the UK body that approves drugs and therapies for National Health Service (NHS) use, has not yet assessed either treatment.

Prevention of cluster headaches

As the medical experts are not yet sure what the causes of cluster headaches are, it is not possible to recommend proven measures for prevention. A comprehensive preventive strategy is vital for managing the cluster headaches – simply using acute therapies is not enough.

The following may help reduce the risk of future attacks:

Alcohol – during a period when headaches occur alcohol may trigger attacks. Abstaining from alcohol during these periods will help reduce the number of headaches. Alcohol does not appear to be a trigger during periods of remission.

Inhaled nitroglycerin – this medication causes blood vessels to dilate (enlarge) and can cause headache cluster attacks. The NHS (National Health Service), UK, recommends that cluster headache sufferers avoid this medication.

Exercising in hot weather – this is a well known trigger for cluster headache. Sufferers should avoid doing anything which may cause their body’s temperature to rise rapidly.

Smoking – a significantly higher percentage of cluster headache sufferers are smokers, compared to the rest of the population. Although not proven, some suggest that giving up smoking may help.

Oranges Can Cause Magnesium Deficiency… and Migraines

The next post is brought to you thanks to Amber Stephenson  who is a member of my facebook page aptly called Natural Migraine Relief. She found the part about oranges causing magnesium deficiency in some migraine sufferers, interesting. I have to say I was intrigued as well.

Here is the article:

The idea that oranges are considered a possible trigger for migraine has surprised many of us, as orange juice is usually considered to be beneficial in our diet.

Not if you are sensitive to citrus. The citrus group of foods is a known allergen, including fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruit. Additionally, a lot of commercial orange juice is squeezed with the rind on, subsequently bruising it and releasing synephrine, a vasoconstrictor.

There have been links between migraine headaches and synephrine as well as related vasoconstrictors, so it makes sense that this could be a trigger. Many patients found that freshly squeezed orange juice made at home had no adverse effect.

A 2004 study found that: “In migraine patients, plasma levels of octopamine and synephrine were higher compared with controls, although in migraine with aura, the difference was not significant”.(1)

Synephrine is a stimulant that raises blood pressure, which can also cause migraines. The theory being that migraine sufferers with a citrus allergy can gain relief from a low dosage of daily blood pressure medication.

Citrus fruits also cause magnesium deficiency in some patients, and magnesium deficiency has been linked to migraine without aura. In a study where thirty migraine patients were treated with magnesium versus ten treated with placebo, the number of patients experiencing relief was so high that the possibility of the test results being coincidental was less than a 1 in 1000 chance.(2) The magnesium was administered as a magnesium citrate supplement, 600mg per day, orally. Patients were assessed by computerized tomography before and after the three month treatment period.

Citrus fruits also contain histamine, another suspect in food related allergies. A study at Texas Tech in El Paso TX found a correlation between high histamine levels and migraine attacks in susceptible persons.

An unhappy relationship between hypoglycemia and migraine can be heightened by drinking of orange juice, lemonade or other citrus juice in an attempt to raise the blood sugar – the orange juice can actually increase the migraine pain and the blood sugar level is blamed instead. This justifies the importance of maintaining a food diary and testing for food allergies.(3)

One woman related how she had taken migraine medication daily for years, washing it down with an 8 oz glass of orange juice each morning. Finally, when her sons were diagnosed, it became apparent that by giving them juice daily, she had simply been stimulating the cycle of migraines. Incidentally, orange flavored drinks such as Tang and Sunny D also contain migraine triggering substances similar to the natural fruits, so if citrus is a problem for you, avoid them as well!

Elimination of citrus is much simpler than many other migraine trigger foods, and is relatively easy to live without. For people suffering severe food intolerance migraines, living without orange juice, lemonade and key lime pie was a minor exclusion from their diet.

Sources:

(1) pubmed15159465.do, Cure Hunter, 05/25/2004
(2) Magnesium Research, Jun 2008;21(2):101-8. PMID: 18705538, by Koseoglu E, Talaslioglu A, Gonul AS, Kula M. Erciyes University, Medicine Faculty, Neurology Department, Kayseri, Turkey
(3) Leira R, Rodriguez R, Revista de Neurologia 1996 May;24(129):534-8

Research by Grace-Alexander

When I used to have migraines, bananas would give me migraines and I thought it was the excess potassium but I couldn’t find any back up in science.

I was allergic to a number of foods (any kind of cheese except cottage cheese, coffee, chocolate, tuna fish, grapes, not gluten or wheat though etc) Since I got completely rid of my migraines, I also got rid of my food allergies and thankfully now can eat anything.

I believe that you can too.

Amber told me she’s researching all types of foods that trigger migraines and that don’t and that she’s really starting to go head over heels into Migraine Research which is GREAT because there is a lot of information on the web and I would love all the natural solutions, remedies and treatments be listed on one website (err.. this one!) for your benefit.

So thank you again Amber  for sharing this with everyone.

My First Testimonial for Natural Migraine Relief!

I’ve been blogging for about five months posting articles and videos I find on the web that give an alternative and natural choices to migraine sufferers, for long term relief instead of recommending narcotics which only give temporary relief.

Why do I do it? Because I used to suffer from migraines for over 15 years. I know just how bad the pain is when it hits and how debilitating it is.

Anyway, by 2005, I had had enough of my life as it was – even when I was well the fear of a potential attack would always be lurking in my thoughts. So although my body was a wreck from my migraine attacks and the narcotics I took, I wanted a way out: a healthy way out. I decided I was going to get rid of migraines (though I had no clue how I was going to do that). It didn’t matter because but I’d always found that when I set my mind on achieving a goal, unexpected opportunities present themselves to me and it was up to me to recognise and act upon them.

I changed my lifestyle to include healthier habits and started to introspect to weed out what ‘virus programs’ I had in my system. I took a consciousness training (www.avatarepc.com) which gave me the tools to zap those virus programs and start regaining control of my life.

I got rid of my migraines and I want others to help other migraine sufferers to do the same. I know that it IS possible to manage, prevent and completely get rid of migraines. It is possible to even start eating foods that previously triggered an attack. It is possible to live a migraine-free life!

My goal is to help 1 million migraine sufferers get rid of their migraines completely in 10 years.

Today, I got my first testimonial from Danielle and I am so very proud.

Dear Sile

Because of you and your pages and support I have gotten off the narcotics. I just got thru a really rough detox time but I know it is worth it! It was really hard, especially difficult because with the withdrawal I knew the repair was so close by. I know my decision was the right one, what is the point to medicate your way out of living? You really helped me see this, thank you.

Thank you!

Danielle

PS I cancelled the appointment!

Cravings and Chemicals in Food Could be Causing Your Migraines

This is the testimonial of one woman who found her migraines were caused by the chemicals in ingredients in food. She’s not suggesting that this is the root cause for everyone but I thought her story was interesting enough to share.

If you cannot see the video above, click on http://naturalmigrainereliefnow.com/blog/2009/09/cravings-and-c…your-migraines/

Whatever your situation, it does make a case to consider eating organic to improve one’s own general wellbeing.

Does Chocolate Relieve Migraine Headaches?

In an earlier post I had written about a tasty ingredient which helps to relieve migraines. The issue is quite complicated as this next article shows us that there is no such thing as a blanket solution for everyone.

Can a tasty treat like chocolate really make migraines better? Find out what a new study shows and why migraine relief may be as close as your next candy bar.

Migraine headaches are one of the most common causes of missed days from work and school. Many people find these headaches to be so painful that their only recourse is to seek the solace of a dark room. Not only are they painful, but the symptoms can drag on for hours or even days without treatment. Although there are medications to help migraine headaches as well as reduce their frequency, these drugs often have side effects and some drugs can even cause rebound headaches and withdrawal symptoms. What if there was a natural way to relieve migraines without the need for prescription medications

Chocolate to Relieve Migraine Headaches?: A Study

A new study presented at the International Headache Society’s meeting shows that cocoa may have the potential to relieve migraine headaches naturally. According to a study conducted on rats, cocoa may be effective in reducing the inflammatory response associated with migraine headaches. The exact cause of migraines isn’t completely understood, but there are a variety of theories. It’s believed that irritation of the trigeminal nerve leads to an inflammatory response that triggers release of brain biochemicals known as neuropeptides which leads to headache pain. In rats, cocoa appears to block this inflammatory response that leads to painful migraine headaches.

In reality, the cause of migraine headaches is more complicated than this since other factors seem to be important – particularly serotonin levels. Serotonin is a brain neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, and sleep. Levels of serotonin drop at the onset of a migraine headache which serves as a trigger for release of the neuropeptides that cause pain. Because serotonin plays a key role in bringing on migraine headaches, anti-depressants that alter serotonin levels are sometimes used to prevent migraine headaches.

Chocolate: Does It Trigger or Help Migraine Headaches?

Interestingly, chocolate can be a migraine headache trigger for some people. Migraines can be brought on by certain foods such as red wine, certain cheese, beer, and yes, chocolate. It’s unclear what component of chocolate is actually triggering the headache, but it goes to show how complicated the issue of cocoa and migraine may be. Some component of cocoa or chocolate could trigger migraines, while another may relieve the symptoms.

Cocoa to Help Migraine Headaches: The Bottom Line

It’s too early to recommend cocoa as a natural way to relieve migraine headaches, particularly when it seems to trigger migraines in some people. More research is needed to determine exactly what component of cocoa is beneficial. What does the future hold for chocolate and migraines? Hopefully, further studies will reveal the answer.

By Kristie Leong MD

http://healthmad.com

Supplements: a natural alternative to migraine relief?

If you suffer from migraine headaches, you know how debilitating and painful they can be and the search for natural relief may not always be obvious. Often times, migraines cause so much pain that people become physically ill and suffer additional symptoms such as stomach ache and blurred vision. The symptoms can be so bad that people miss work, leave family events, or become unable to function.

So, what can you do to relieve such horrible pain?

Many people treat migraine headaches with prescription medications. These medications can be effective, but they are not without some serious side effects. Some of these prescription medications are taken orally, while others are inhaled by nasal spray into the nose. Either way, some of the more common side effects include tingling at the site, unusual taste, or dizziness. If you happen to suffer from the more serious side effects, these can include high blood pressure and elevated risk of heart disease.

Because of the serious nature of the side effects, and because migraine sufferers need relief quickly and on a regular basis, natural and alternative and natural remedies are becoming a more popular way to treat migraine headaches. Before we take a look at some of the best supplements to treat migraines, let’s look at the nature of the migraine headache. It is easier to understand your treatment plan if you understand the nature of the headaches themselves.

Most people consider the term ‘migraine’ synonymous with ‘migraine headaches’, but migraines are actually a condition that has headache as one of its many symptoms. Because the headache is the most painful, most obvious symptom of a migraine, people tend to think that a migraine and a migraine headache are the same thing. Migraines are actually a neurological syndrome. The headache is the worst part, perhaps, but the syndrome can also be characterized by nausea and unusual visions that according to some sufferers can almost be hallucinatory in nature. Oddly enough, the very fact that a migraine is coming on is sometimes signified by an ‘aura’, described by most as an almost out-of-body sense that the awful headache is about to occur. Then, when it does, it is sometimes accompanied by odd visions or senses as well.

Once the headache sets in, and even after the person feels physically ill, he or she may also suffer from increased sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds, preferring to remain in total silence and darkness until the headache subsides. The problem is, migraines often last for quite some time. The average migraine lasts for about four hours, although chronic sufferers can experience migraine symptoms for up to seventy-two hours sometimes! They will feel a severe and painful throbbing in the temple region, usually on one side, for the duration of the migraine. These are the individuals who need the most help.

So what help is out there? To begin with, there are some dietary changes that may help, but not for everyone. One of the most common changes to try first is to get rid of all gluten (wheat) in the diet. Other common triggers include foods such as hot dogs, wine, chocolate and cheese. This may help some people and not others, since there are so many triggers for migraine and not all of them have to do with diet. Some other triggers include the weather, sleep changes, and even stress; certainly, it is better for these people to explore supplements since they can do nothing to change the weather!

One supplement that has been shown to be effective in relieving migraines is Feverfew. Feverfew is an herb that you can buy in your local vitamin store or on the internet, and it is good for prevention of migraine as well as treatment of the symptoms once the headache has onset. Especially good for the treatment of symptoms is the combination of this herbal supplement with a natural caffeine source, such as guarana.

Ginger has long been used as a digestive aid and as a treatment for nausea, but there is also some evidence that it is helpful for migraines. You can eat ginger, of course, but if you don’t like the taste you can also find ginger capsules or ginger tea that has other flavors included in it.

Sometimes migraines come about because of fatigue or irregular sleep patterns. If this is the case for you, you may want to try taking melatonin before bed. Melatonin is produced naturally in the body, but the production of it slows as we age. If you supplement with it, your body’s sleep cycles will become more regular and you may find it helps prevent the migraines from coming back.

B vitamins such as vitamin B12 and riboflavin have also been known to help, as well as magnesium. These are such commonly used supplements that you should be able to take a multi-vitamin and mineral tablet and get your requirements.

Rather than suffer these debilitating headaches or resign yourself to taking prescriptions for the rest of your life, try these healthier alternatives. You just may get the relief you have long been seeking.

This Ingredient can Drastically Reduce Migraines

A new animal study presented at the International Headache Society’s 14th International Congress provided evidence that Theobroma cacao may be an appropriate dietary supplement for those suffering with migraine headaches. The ingredient is thought to repress inflammatory responses in the brain that are associated with pain.

Approximately 30 million Americans suffer with migraine headaches. A migraine is a severe, painful headache that can last for hours or even days. During the headache, the temporal artery enlarges, producing a release of chemicals that cause inflammation and pain.

Theobroma cacoa is the botanical name for the cocoa plant, and it has long been used in folk medicine as an antiseptic and diuretic. The seeds are used to make chocolate – which is often indicted as a trigger food for migraine headaches because of its caffeine and tyramine content, ingredients thought to restrict blood flow.

Pure cocoa alone has been shown in some studies to have other positive effects on health, including improving hypertension and glucose metabolism. Cocoa also contains phenylethylamine, which has anti-depressant properties and can cause the brain to release chemicals that fight pain.

Dietary intervention is one of the methods of treatment for migraine headaches, as some foods are thought to be trigger foods for attacks. The foods thought to exacerbate symptoms are cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, meats with high nitrate content (ie: hot dogs), MSG, aspartame, and alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, avoiding these trigger foods does not always prevent migraine headaches from occurring.

According to WebMD, food triggers often act in combination with other factors such as stress and hormonal changes. The amount of food eaten that can trigger an attack is also a consideration. Small amounts may not cause a migraine, but eating large quantities can induce symptoms.

Another natural treatment for migraine headaches is exercise. A study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, researchers found that the frequency of headaches decreased with a regular aerobic exercise program. Headache intensity and amount of medications taken also decreased. Exercise reduces stress, which is often a factor in migraine headaches.

Medical experts will not likely soon promote eating chocolate as a method to reduce the pain of headaches, as most chocolate products are low in actual cocoa and the processing of cocoa into chocolate reduces its beneficial phytochemical properties. However, there are currently manufacturers of cocoa extract dietary supplements, which are often not regulated and may not be as beneficial to health.

Sources: Medical News Today and WebMD.

Migraine relief – causes and some natural treatments

An interesting video on the various causes of migraines and some natural treatments

Headaches in Children and what to do about them

A new study has revealed that children and teens become more susceptible to the pain and discomfort of headaches and migraines as the new school year begins.

More than a third of children suffer from recurrent headaches – headaches that occur more than once a month. Most are tension headaches, which are less severe and do not occur with nausea or vomiting.

“Try to get your kids back into a routine schedule at least two weeks before school starts,” said Dr Ann Pakalnis, neurologist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“Begin enforcing earlier bedtimes, and make sure children are well-rested before beginning a new school year,” the expert added.

In the new study, researchers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that sleep and emotional disorders were common in adolescents with migraines.

Sleep disorders and mild, chronic depression became more common as headaches became more frequent.

In addition those who regularly consumed caffeine also reported more depression and were poorer sleepers.

“Our study indicates that patients with migraines should be monitored for sleep and emotional disorders,” said Pakalnis.

“These findings suggest that factors such as frequent migraines may play a role in the occurrence of these disorders.

“Also, minimizing caffeine consumption may benefit sleep and mood in headache patients and decrease susceptibility to migraine attacks,” she added.

In addition to making sure kids get plenty of sleep and minimize caffeine intake, parents should ensure their children are eating balanced meals and snacks regularly.

Also, limit their caffeine intake and monitor to check that they are getting the proper amount of fluids.

Over-the-counter medicines can provide relief but are sometimes difficult for children to swallow or digest, particularly if they have a migraine accompanied by nausea. Newer therapies such as triptans, which work on the brain’s serotonin system, are very specific for migraine treatment.

The study is published in journal Headache. (ANI)

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