A migraine is the second
most common type of primary headache and some 28 million
people in the US alone will experience
migraine
headaches varying in intensity and frequency. And
there are migraine triggers – certain situations
that will trigger a migraine headache.
Although the direct cause of migraines is still unknown,
it is thought that migraines may result from a series
of reactions in the central nervous system caused
by changes in the body or in the environment. These
changes become migraine headache triggers producing
inflammation in the blood vessels and nerves that
surround the brain. There are many triggers –
some of which we are able to control while there are
others over which we have no control.
Migraine headache triggers which we might be able
to control are:
o Lighting - such as fluorescent lighting or the
glare from computer screens.
o Smells - especially fragrances and perfumes worn
by others.
o Smoke - such as having to be in close proximity
to smokers.
o Noise - such as when working and concentrating in
an area where there is loud and repetitive sound.
o Disruption to sleep patterns or lack of sleep.
o Hunger.
o Medications - both over the counter and prescription.
o Stress.
Migraine headache triggers of which we have no control
are:
o The weather.
o Air pressure.
o Menstrual cycles or hormonal changes.
Foods that trigger migraines
Certain foods such as those containing caffeine (including
coffee and chocolate), monosodium glutamate (MSG found
in Chinese food) and nitrates (found in processed
foods such as hot dogs) are all possible foods that
trigger migraines.
In addition, recent studies have suggested other
foods that trigger migraines and one of these studies
is the effect of tyramine in our diet. Tyramine is
a natural substance and is formed from the breakdown
of protein in food as it starts to age. So tyramine
is found in foods that are aged, fermented or even
spoiled. Any food containing protein will build up
tyramine content if it is in the refrigerator for
many days. So very fresh or frozen food is important
to avoid triggering a migraine.
Such food products with a high level of Tyramine
would be:
o Aged cheeses such as Blue, Brie, Mature Cheddar,
Emmenthaler, Gruyere, Parmesan;
o Spoiled meats;
o Some aged and cured meats such as canned meats,
fermented sausages;
o Fish products such as caviar; pickled herring, or
salted dried fish such as herring or cod;
o Marmite and other products containing yeast extract;
o Sauerkraut;
o Soybean products such as soy sauce and tofu;
o broad bean pods;
o Certain fruits and vegetables such as overripe avocados
and figs as well as bananas and red plums;
o Breads or crackers containing cheese;
o Bouillon and other soup cubes;
o Draft beer (that is beer on tap), bottled or canned
beer and ale, red or white wine, port, sherry and
vermouth.
Other food products contain lesser amounts of tyramine
but if you have several such products together in
one meal, the level of tyramine could be sufficient
to trigger a migraine.
Before puberty, boys and girls are equally affected
by migraines. However, after puberty nearly 3 times
as many women as men suffer from migraine
symptoms and the most common time is during the
twenties and thirties. Some women experience migraines
just prior to or during menstruation while others
develop migraines during pregnancy or after menopause.
The good news is that migraines often diminish after
the age of 50. While some people may only have a few
migraines during their lifetime, others have them
several times per month. It can therefore be very
helpful to try and ascertain what migraine triggers
are causing this condition.
Go
to our Migraine and Headache Treatment page
