Migraine Headache Triggers

Foods that Trigger Migraine Attack

Migraine headache triggers....

Migraines are among the most debilitating of headaches.

Researchers and scientists believe that migraines are caused by a vulnerability of the central nervous system to immediate changes in the body's environment.

These changes trigger a restriction in the blood flow to the brain. According to this theory, the nervous system responds to a trigger by creating spasms in the nerve-rich arteries at the base of the brain. These spasms constrict blood flow to the brain, which responds by dilating other arteries within the brain to meet the needs of the body for energy and oxygen.

Migraine food triggers...

Much of the recent research in the field of headache management has been into identifying migraine headache triggers, particularly foods that trigger migraine attacks.

Migraine headache triggers include food, weather, environmental, pharmacological and combinations of factors. One of the first suggested treatments for migraines is the elimination of migraine headache triggers from the diet and environment of migraineurs (the technical name for those who suffer from migraines).

Migraine headache triggers in women may also include hormonal changes related to the monthly menstrual and ovulation cycle, or to birth control pills.

The problem with identifying the personal migraine headache triggers is that they vary from person to person - and even from attack to attack.

Foods that trigger migraine attacks in one person may have no effect at all on another, or may only trigger a migraine attack under certain conditions. Even so, identifying migraine food triggers and other migraine headache triggers can be a valuable first step in treating and preventing migraines.

Evironmental Migraine Triggers may include:

  • Stress is a major migraine headache trigger. Any sort of loss, anger or tension can trigger a migraine attack.

  • Fumes from gasoline or tobacco smoke are the most common 'smell' triggers for migraines.

  • Light glare, dazzle and weather changes can trigger migraines.

Physical Migraine Triggers may include:

  • Ovulation

  • Menstruation

  • Hormonal fluctuations caused by pregnancy

  • Physical exercise has been known to trigger or worsen migraine symptoms.

  • Too much, too little or interrupted sleep patterns

  • Low blood sugar caused by fasting or hunger

    Migraine Food Triggers...

    By far the largest group of known migraine headache triggers are food products. One of the best ways to try and reduce or eliminate migraines is to identify and eliminate migraine food triggers in your diet. Foods that trigger migraine attacks include:

    • Aged Cheese, figs, bananas and raisins, all of which contain tyramine or other histamines, known migraine food triggers

    • Beer, wine and hard liquor, especially red wine which is high in tyramine

    • Caffeine in coffee, tea and cola. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which may play a part in triggering migraines.

    • Chocolate is one of the most well-known migraine food triggers, implicated in about 20% of the cases where a food sensitivity is suspected.

    • Processed meats like hot dogs, bacon, pepperoni and other meats that are cured with nitrites, all foods that trigger migraine attacks.

    • Monosodium Glutamate, an additive found in Chinese food and in food seasoning products like Accent and Lawry's Seasoned Salts. MSG is a known migraine food trigger, and salt is one of the foods that trigger migraine attacks.

    • Peanuts, peanut butter and other nuts

    • Lima beans and other dried beans

    • Fresh baked breads are migraine food triggers, but only when they're still warm out of the oven. Allowed to cool, they're fine, even if you reheat them.

    The list of migraine headache triggers above includes the most common migraine food triggers, but there are others that are less commonly reported.

    • Ice cream, whole milk, whipped cream, sour cream

    • Pickled foods, particularly pickled or preserved meats

    • Aspartame (Equal) in diet foods or diet sodas

    • Packaged mashed potato flakes which may contain sulfites

    • Shrimp

    • Dried fruits like raisins, prunes, figs

    • Bananas

    • Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds

    • Onions

    If you suspect migraine food triggers of causing your headaches, you can keep a migraine headache trigger diary. Use a calendar diary to note the foods that you eat each day. Also make a note whenever you have a headache. Any food that was eaten within 4 to 24 hours before a migraine is a possible migraine food trigger for you.

    Featured Migraine Products

    One product that contains some key nutrients that may benefit those with migraines is Xtend-Life's Neuro Formula

    It contains dozens of scientifically validated and beneficial nutrients, including 5-HTP, B vitamins, and herbal extracts such as ginkgo that sudies have shown may help those who suffer from migraines and headaches.

    We here at Beat Your Health Condition have personally been taking Xtend-Life products for over 2 years.

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    Click the link below to learn more about this product for migraine sufferers. Get More Info on MiGone Plus for Headache and Migraine Relief.

    Much more than Migraine headache triggers discussed back at Beat Your Health Condition Home Page


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