Who doesn’t know the feeling of a horrible migraine? Migraine headaches are some of the worst feelings that can leave someone unable to think and in severe pain without reprieve. The quality of life of those with frequent headaches will be affected.
We all know that migraine pain is some of the worst you can feel. However, what is less understood are the triggers and causes of a migraine attack, the types of headaches you can experience, and that the food you are eating can easily be the reason behind that searing pain.
WHAT ARE MIGRAINES?
Migraines are more than just severe headaches. Through symptoms may be similar, they are often more intense. The below common symptoms can be used to recognise them, such as:
- Intense throbbing or pulsing ache in the head is often felt on one side of the head (general headache symptoms)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
The severity of these symptoms varies between individuals and may include other less thought of symptoms, such as:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Runny nose
Migraine symptoms can last from hours to days.
Overview of Common Headache Types & Symptoms
How do you know whether you’re experiencing a regular headache or migraine? Below we discuss the causes and symptoms of the most common. Although it’s tempting to lump all head pain together, there are slight differences between a migraine and headache, and even between different types of headaches.
Cluster headaches
A cluster headache isn’t common, but it’s one of the most important types of headaches to know about. Pain from cluster headaches is easily identifiable because they’re so intense. Cluster headaches often cause severe throbbing pain behind an eye. Attacks occur suddenly and usually last about an hour
Tension Headache
Tension headaches are among the most common types of headaches. Most people experience headaches from time to time. These types of headaches usually involve a tightness or constriction around the top part of your skull (the back) or behind your eyes.
Migraine
Migraine headaches are the second most common type of headache. Tension-type headaches tend to be unilateral (affecting only one side of the head), while migraine tends to involve both sides of the head simultaneously. Tension headaches differ from migraines in intensity and duration. It’s not uncommon for people suffering from migraines to experience headaches that feel worse than normal pains.
WHAT CAUSES MIGRAINES?
Migraine triggers – these are the things which cause your migraine pain and discomfort. Some of them you might already know about, such as stress or lack of sleep; however others you probably haven’t considered before.
Top Triggers of Migraine Headaches
- Dehydration – a night of drinking – is probably the most notable cause of migraines.
- bright light
- Stress
- Structural issues
- Sinus issues – due to inflammation and sinus pressure in the area (these are known specifically as sinus headaches).
- Food reactions (allergic reaction) – Up to 20 percent of people who experience migraines report certain foods to trigger their migraines. Many also report accompanied digestive symptoms, such as bloating, flatulence or diarrhoea, which can also be associated with a food reaction. Also, the fact that 50% of migraine sufferers avoid specific foods is an obvious sign of how much food can be a migraine trigger (sitn.hms.harvard.edu).
MIGRAINES AND FOOD REACTIONS
The following foods are commonly associated with migraines:
Food allergies can cause chronic daily headaches. Once people find this out, they ask ‘how do I know if my headache is from allergies’? The truth is, this can be a tough question to answer with full certainty, without further investigation and tests.
Common food triggers include:
- Sugars
- Yeast
- Moulds
- Dairy products
- Soy
Naturally occurring and synthetic food chemicals can also cause reactions, such as:
- Salicylates– high in colourful fruits and vegetables
- Amines– high in aged foods, such as cheese, wine, chocolate and cured meats
- Glutamates – high in processed foods and sauces (e.g. MSG)
- Food additives– including preservatives, sweeteners, flavour enhancers and colourings
The Connection Between Food Allergies Migraine Explained
Food allergies can trigger migraine headaches, and the two conditions often go hand in hand. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 80 percent of people with migraines have some sort of food allergy.
People who suffer from migraines may avoid certain foods, because they think they will worsen their headaches without understanding the underlying reaction happening in their bodies. However, this could actually happen because they have an underlying food allergy.
It’s important to state that there is no single “migraine diet”. Instead, there are many diets that work for different people.
Common over-the-counter treatments
Over the counter headache medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are two common painkillers often prescribed by doctors. Migraine medications often cause drowsiness, so if they’re not working for you, consider trying one of these alternatives. If you’ve already tried taking regular paracetamol, but haven’t seen any relief from pain, then it may simply be because it isn’t absorbing properly into your system.
NATURAL MIGRAINE TREATMENT
Natural methods for the treatment of migraine pain have traditionally included rubbing lavender oil on the forehead, elimination diets or keeping a food diary, which may help keep track of any food allergies.
Although some may find elimination diets helpful, they can also be very restricting, should not be maintained long term, and can even cause malnutrition.
Some natural remedies can help manage migraines.
Avoiding or limiting caffeine and alcohol (which are stimulants) and taking a supplement like magnesium daily to prevent muscle cramps, which often accompany migraine headaches. Magnesium is also helpful in preventing nausea, which occurs with some over the counter medications used in preventing migraines.
- Ginger
- Cayenne pepper
- Chamomile tea
- Magnesium supplements
- Herbal teas
- Echinacea
- Lemon balm
- Bromelain
- Niacinamide
- Vitamin B
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland, we use a technique called muscle testing (or kinesiology) to help identify which substances you may be reacting to.
Following testing, you can work with your practitioner to address your reactions using a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT).
PAT is a non-invasive, holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to retrain your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances triggering your migraine symptoms
WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE PAT OVER TRADITIONAL TREATMENT TO ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES
Why people love PAT’s non-invasive nature;
- No needles
- No herbal remedies
- No supplements
- No avoidance (in fact, you’ll be holding a vial of the substance in your hand).
PAT complements well with small lifestyle changes, so you can take PAT as a stand-alone treatment or a way to give yourself an extra boost in working with a complex condition.
Some migraine cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements, herbs and lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
Please note PAT cannot “cure” migraines – we aim to reduce your reactions and help manage migraine-related symptoms. We do not intend to raise unrealistic expectations. If symptoms persist, consult your health care professional.
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