Can Certain Foods Trigger Migraine Attacks?

Headache is one of the most common complaints that brings patients to doctors' offices. Headaches can be caused by an astonishing array of illnesses, ranging from hypertension and migraine to meningitis (infection of the brain covering). Stress can also often causes headache.

Food-induced headaches occur in frequent cycles, are throbbing and follow the ingestion of the offending food. Many people incorrectly assume their headaches are due to migraine or tension, when in reality an unsuspected food reaction may be the cause. As many as 75 percent of headache sufferers may be experiencing adverse reactions to foods.

What's more, even if a person is not sensitive to a certain food, additives in other edibles can trigger a reaction - and a headache. The following foods are the most common offenders.

Whole milk is itself a cause of headaches in some people; however, milk products are even worse - for example, aged and processed cheese, yogurt, sour cream, chocolate milk and buttermilk. To test whether these products play a role in headaches, consumers should change to low-fat varieties, skimmed milk and imitation sour cream. Such a change is probably beneficial anyway because of lower cholesterol content.

Smoked or processed meats and fish are laced with preservatives and nitrates. These substances are notorious for causing headache. In addition, many of these foods are rich in cholesterol. Therefore, experts recommend that headache-prone patients eschew hot dogs, bologna, bacon, ham, salami, marinated fish, pickled herring and similar products. Most baked goods contain yeast, which can set off excruciating headaches in some people. Therefore, freshly baked breads, doughnuts, cakes and similar edibles are best avoided.

Caffeine-containing beverages (tea, coffee and cola) are vasoactive, meaning that they cause dilation of blood Vessels. This can produce headaches. Chocolate is also vasoactive and may be a prime offender in causing headaches.

Beer, red wine and sherry contain tyramine, a compound that often causes headache. Consumers who are sensitive to these beverages should substitute white wines and consider using alcohol-free beer.

Monosodium glutamate and other flavor-enhancers are frequently associated with headache, therefore, people who are sensitive to these substances should avoid soy sauce, meat tenderizer and seasoned salt. Furthermore, nitrates (commonly added to processed meats) can cause severe headaches as well.

Patients with recurring headaches may obtain relief from experimenting with elimination diets. However, if this approach is ineffective, the doctor may be able to help by establishing a proper diagnosis and prescribing medication, such as beta blockers, that can protect against many common varieties of headache.


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