Raegan is a 31 year-old mother of two who has suffered migraines for as long as she can remember and she takes her regular medications whenever a migraine surfaces. However, she is worried about getting migraines at inconvenient times like at work and family events. She has learned that red wine and candies trigger her attacks hours after she consumes them. Raegan remembers that her neurologist recommended her for her to fill out a migraine diary, but she has yet to try it. Below, we will take a brief look on how to start a lifestyle diary to discover possible food triggers for migraines.
In our modern society, it is estimated that 1 in 10 people are diagnosed with migraines.
Popular belief is that migraines are a form of headaches where in fact, these are a form of neurological disease that has genetic and environmental components. After one is diagnosed with migraines, traditional doctors would provide the necessary medications like triptans and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories.
Keep in mind that if a particular food is the culprit of triggering a migraine, this may take from a few hours up to a day before the attack sets in. One must insist on writing down what one eats on a daily basis, for at least a month. However, foods that trigger migraines may differ for every migraine sufferer; therefore, one must discover their own provocations. Below is a list of common culprits known to cause migraines:
• Caffeinated products (coffee, chocolate, some sodas, and energy drinks)
• Processed meats and fish (canned meat products, fast food burgers, hot dogs, and packaged meats)
• Condiments and spices (MSG, packaged guacamole and other sauces)
• Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, grapefruits)
• Nuts (but seeds are fine)
• Fruits with sulfites (a known preservative to keep products fresh)
• Onions (garlic is okay)
• Sauerkraut (and other fermented products)
• Wine (red and white, believed to trigger migraines due to their sulfites, histamine and tannins content)
• Legumes (lima beans, navy beans, peanuts, lentils and pea pods)
• Aged cheeses (cheddar, parmesan and swiss)
Use this list as a guide to start discovering your own triggers. As one eliminates a particular trigger or triggers, one is expected to find relief in intensity, severity and/or duration of migraine attacks. Persistence in looking for triggers and self-awareness will lead to the right prevention of migraines.
Disclaimer: Any patient or person mentioned in this article, is a fictional character. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental.
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