Nowadays, Migraine is becoming common among many people and they are having concerns that their migraines are due to an allergy to certain foods and that they should get tested for certain food allergies. This has shown in some researchers that 0ne in five people suffer from a migraine due to food.
However, there is no particular reason why, when and what makes many of us experience a migraine. Which is yet to be understood. Many people who suffer from migraines mostly rely on some medications to prevent and take treatment for the symptoms. Also, willingness to follow a prescribed course of treatment can hinder the distinct symptoms of migraine people experience.
These diverse symptoms mean that many people remain untreated and try to control their migraine headaches with an available range of medications or drugs which in return may cause an unfavourable effect on their migraine headaches. A simple suggestion given for a migraine is that it precipitates by certain foods, and it may be due to food allergy or food sensitivity. Indeed, there are many books, researches and theories available for self-help to know why a migraine occurs for many of us. Nevertheless, there is a difference between the food as a trigger, food as an allergy and food as a sensitivity.
Below we will discuss in detail about each of the following:
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Food as a Trigger:
A trigger is an act or event that initiates or precipitate a series of reactions. The migraine attack may occur anytime and with anything and may last up to six to eight hours. Many factors can trigger a migraine attack and it is not easy to determine a trigger. Some food examples where people with a migraine tend to avoid
- Chilli peppers
- Bananas
- Caffeine products
- Aged cheese
- Soy sauce
- Whole milk
- Beans
- Red wine
- Citrus fruits
However, for many people avoiding these food triggers will not prevent their migraine attacks because how simple it looks to avoid these foods, the more complex will be the situation. Over a period of time, these trigger factors build slowly and cause a migraine attacks in many of us.
For example, if u eat a particular food on day one and that food did not affect u, on day two u ate the same food and that can lead to a migraine attack. So it is not possible to categorize that due to some particular foods these migraine attacks will occur in many of us.
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Food as an Allergy
As the term implies food allergy which means that whenever you eat or drink a particular food you will get a migraine and by identifying and avoiding that kind of food or drink will decrease or disappear your migraines.
Dr Anne MacGregor explains in her book “Understanding Migraine and Other Headaches” that an allergic response happens when in contact with various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the cells of transplanted organs, that when introduced into the body stimulate the production of antibodies(antigen) which can be restrained in the blood circulation. In her book she says that even though many types of research have done but there is no specific antigen reaction has been known in those people with a migraine as a result of eating certain foods.
To determine the reasons many organisations are carrying out tests and use the terms food sensitivity or food intolerance.
Also Read: Different types of Migraines
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Food as a Sensitivity
There is a full list of foods and drinks that people point to as precipitates to a migraine. A food sensitivity happens when unlike symptoms occur after you eat or drink certain food, which your body cannot handle. Dr. Manuela Fontebasso explains in the book “Migraine and Other Headaches” that an attack can occur for no reason or as a result of exposure to a substance that causes or leads to the development of headache symptoms. These substances may be in a prescribed medication (in a form of side effects) or be in foods we eat or drink.
However, Dr Fontebasso stresses that food allergy is one thing whereas food sensitivity is another and either tends not to be true triggers for a migraine.
Most people avoid red wines, a reason it may trigger a migraine because they contain chemicals that can affect their blood cells. But, Dr. MacGregor argues that this is not a true allergic reaction. Many people with migraines feel that there are so many foods they are sensitive to which brings about headache symptoms and later develop into a migraine. So, they want to have a modified list of foods which they can avoid those they feel will give them headache migraines.
Expert’s opinion suggests that it is better to maintain a record if you do suspect that certain foods are triggers and affecting your migraines. If you’re concerned about avoiding any food related triggers then you can consult your GP or practice nurse or any dietician for specialist advice.