Migraine Triggers And Fighters

(CBS)  If you're one of the more than 28 million Americans plagued by debilitating migraine headaches, relief may be as simple as changing what you eat, registered dietician Keri Glassman explained on The Early Show Tuesday.

Glassman pointed to foods to avoid if you're prone to migraines, and ones to keep in your arsenal because they may help you avert that throbbing pain and other symptoms.

No food or food additive has been proven to cause migraines, Glassman stressed.

Conversely, it appears that regular supplementation with some nutrients may reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines, she continued.

People have individual triggers, including dietary choices, stress, and activities, she added.

According to Glassman:

Possible Migraine Contributors

Tyramine:

Mechanism: amino acid and vasodilator

Found in: aged cheese, wine, chocolate, smoked, cured or pickled meat, processed meats, tofu, some fruits and vegetables such as eggplant, avocado, bananas and raspberries

Food Additives: Nitrites, MSG:

Mechanism: preservative that excites neurons and has been linked to the onset of migraines; research is inconclusive.

Found in: Chinese food, cheese powders such as Doritos, Campbell's soups, potato chips, frozen meals, and some salad dressings

Aspartame:

Mechanism: artificial sweetener that research has linked to onset of migraines, though mechanism is unknown. Some believe it's linked to serotonin. It's been shown to cause neurons to fire spasmodically, burning out neurons.

Found in: diet drinks and foods

Alcohol -- contsains Histamines

Mechanism: histamines stimulate the immune system

Found in: wine and beer, some cheese, beef, pork, bananas

Possible Migraine Relievers

Omega-3s:

Mechanism: important for brain function, also have anti-inflammatory and nerve-protecting actions

Found in: salmon, oily fish, some nuts, tuna

Ginger:

Mechanism: mild anti-histamine and has an anti-inflammatory effect; ginger inhibits blood vessels from swelling at the onset of a headache and nerves are instantly relieved of pressure.

Found in: ginger cookies, muffins, tea and can be added to stir-fry

Vitamins and Minerals:

Vitamin B2 / Riboflavin

Mechanism: Some studies have shown them to reduce the frequency of migraines, though not their duration or severity; also linked to the efficacy of beta-blockers, drugs used to prevent migraines

Found in: liver, almonds, soy nuts, shellfish, milk and dairy

Magnesium:

Mechanism: helps to relax blood vessels and maintain normal nerve function

Found in: wheat germ, beans, soy products, seafood, dark green leafy vegetables, milk

Caffeine -- may cause or relieve headaches

Mechanism: increases the absorption of some headache medications, bringing about relief more quickly. Too much can cause anxiety, sleep problems and muscle twitching.

Found in: tea, coffee, headache medications, chocolate

Tips to Prevent Migraines:

Keep a diary of events and foods surrounding migraines; identify patterns and experiment with dietary and activity modifications.

Don't skip meals; episodes of hypoglycemia are linked to the onset of migraines.

Exercise

Sleep: Getting too much or too little can trigger migraines

[betsyblondin]

Sorry, I didn''t intend to repeat my comment! I didn''t understand the message saying the publish button was disabled -- how embarrassing!
Betsy

[betsyblondin]

As a nearly 40-year survivor of migraines, I am publishing a book that I hope will help us share experiences while helping to promote awareness and understanding of the complexities of living with migraine: http://www.wordmetropress.com. It is ever more clear that we need much more awareness, funding for research, and real knowledge so we can stop all this guessing about the cause of migraine and how to best prevent and treat it. This affects many millions of people and costs billions of dollars worldwide, let alone the life we lose and pain we suffer, and it is obscene that we do not even know the cause. And we are guessing whether it''s a strawberry or a banana :) I salute migraineurs everywhere -- we survive and persevere.
BetsyBlondin

[betsyblondin]

As a nearly 40-year survivor of migraines, I am publishing a book that I hope will help us share experiences while helping to promote awareness and understanding of the complexities of living with migraine: http://www.wordmetropress.com. It is ever more clear that we need much more awareness, funding for research, and real knowledge so we can stop all this guessing about the cause of migraine and how to best prevent and treat it. This affects many millions of people and costs billions of dollars worldwide, let alone the life we lose and pain we suffer, and it is obscene that we do not even know the cause. And we are guessing whether it''s a strawberry or a banana :) I salute migraineurs everywhere -- we survive and persevere.
BetsyBlondin

[betsyblondin]

As a nearly 40-year survivor of migraines, I am publishing a book that I hope will help us share experiences while helping to promote awareness and understanding of the complexities of living with migraine: http://www.wordmetropress.com. It is ever more clear that we need much more awareness, funding for research, and real knowledge so we can stop all this guessing about the cause of migraine and how to best prevent and treat it. This affects many millions of people and costs billions of dollars worldwide, let alone the life we lose and pain we suffer, and it is obscene that we do not even know the cause. And we are guessing whether it''s a strawberry or a banana :) I salute migraineurs everywhere -- we survive and persevere.
BetsyBlondin

[betsyblondin]

As a nearly 40-year survivor of migraines, I am publishing a book that I hope will help us share experiences while helping to promote awareness and understanding of the complexities of living with migraine: http://www.wordmetropress.com. It is ever more clear that we need much more awareness, funding for research, and real knowledge so we can stop all this guessing about the cause of migraine and how to best prevent and treat it. This affects many millions of people and costs billions of dollars worldwide, let alone the life we lose and pain we suffer, and it is obscene that we do not even know the cause. And we are guessing whether it''s a strawberry or a banana :) I salute migraineurs everywhere -- we survive and persevere.
BetsyBlondin

[betsyblondin]

As a nearly 40-year survivor of migraines, I am publishing a book that I hope will help us share experiences while helping to promote awareness and understanding of the complexities of living with migraine: http://www.wordmetropress.com. It is ever more clear that we need much more awareness, funding for research, and real knowledge so we can stop all this guessing about the cause of migraine and how to best prevent and treat it. This affects many millions of people and costs billions of dollars worldwide, let alone the life we lose and pain we suffer, and it is obscene that we do not even know the cause. And we are guessing whether it''s a strawberry or a banana :) I salute migraineurs everywhere -- we survive and persevere.
BetsyBlondin

[betsy112]

I have had migraines since I can remember... I''ve been miserable for the past 18 yrs and now that college has come around the migraines have seemingly doubled up, which I know is usual when your stress levels are that high. It started out that I could take Excedrin Migraine normal dosage and be fine. When 2 turned into 3, 3 turned into 4, 4 turned into 5 and before I knew it I was taking 6 to "TRY" and get rid of it. I''ve had a cat scan and the whole nine yards to make sure there isn''t anything going on in there and thankfully there wasn''t. Then I found Imitrex!!! The heavens were answering my prayers. Soon after taking it...The same thing happened. I tried topomax but was advised by doctors that it can affect birth control...Not a good thing..So I stopped taking in. I still have constant migraines that will go on for days, weeks, and even sometimes a month! It''s horrible! I just got perscribed the Zomig which is working out for the most part Wonderfully. I''m afraid though that my body is going to become immuned to it once again and I am at a loss? Being 18 and trying to have the college expierence you''ve always wanted isn''t the easiest thing to do when you have constant migraines.

[barbaram99]

I had to get rid of the fluorescence lights . I suffered under them. They made it harder to see. True some food and sounds will bring them on.I need to use what little sight in one eye.

[misssmnl]

Elavil was a life saver. I was on Topamax and the side effects were far too severe. Elavil worked right away with no side effects. I''ve head headaches all my life and just recently I had one that lasted from Nov 07 util June 08. After taking the Elavil (3days later) I was back to me again.

[julieco]

Topomax is now widely used for migraine prevention, and I think it''s the only drug in its class, but I could be wrong. I take Zomig tablets 5mg, and often have to take another to get rid of my headache. I used to only have to take one. Over the years my headaches have gotten more stubborn, but due to Topomax, their duration is still a LOT less, and severity as well. I started with Imitrex injection (the pills never worked), and started having rebound migraines. Went to Zomig and it stopped working. Went to Relpax, then it stopped. None of the other -triptans worked, so we went back to Zomig, and I have to take 2 about 1/2 of the time. I sometimes take Torodol. I have found that if my neck starts getting stiff, if I have the time to do nothing, I take my muscle relaxant, generic Zanaflex, and often if my neck muscles relax, the migraine will not come on, or will be much lessened. If I can''t do nothing, I take a very smal dose of Zanaflex so I can function and it helps, but I still get the migraine. There are quite a few prescription muscle relaxants available, so if Zanaflex isn''t good for you, try others.