Common Foods And Drinks Can Trigger Migraine
Food and drink that we consume can be the straw that breaks the camels back, and become the final trigger for the migraine cascade to start.
However, these triggers usually are additive to other triggers, like sleep disorders and side and stomach sleeping, and neck problems. Many times what people thought were food triggers may no longer trigger a migraine, once the sleep and neck issues are taken care of.
Food affects people with migraines differently. If you have headaches, particularly migraine headaches, you should keep a record of what you eat, so youll know whether a particular food is one of your triggers. Along with this, you should keep a headache diary, and include sleep and sleep position, and any neck problems that seem to occur with your headache.
Some people believe that avoidance of triggers is the wrong thing to do, that we need to just let our brains get used to the trigger. These people think our brains cycle in and out of migraine susceptibility, no matter what we do. But, I believe if we take care of the big triggers, namely sleep issues and neck problems, then avoidance of obvious triggers, such a food and drink, is a good thing. Because if you do get migraines, as I do, you really want to avoid them!
The Migraine Triggers Food Wheel
Can Blue Light Glasses Stop Headaches
Whilst the blue light filter of tinted lenses that come with blue light glasses can help to reduce a migraine trigger…
The easiest way to prevent over-exposure to blue light is to change the light bulbs within your home, rather than to just opt for blue light glasses.
There are many sources of blue light within the home, and not only could it be affecting your headache disorder pattern, but it has also been proven to affect a myriad of other healthy biological functions that could be contributing to your tendency to suffer from migraines.
Research does show the effectiveness of using blue light glasses to reduce symptoms of digital eye strain. However considering your exposure as a whole is a much more effective strategy to reduce your blue light exposure than just wearing blue blocking glasses.
We offer a range of products such as high-quality blue light blocking glasses, and blue light blocking light bulbs – so that you can efficiently reduce your blue light exposure.
How Our Diets Affect Migraine
Many things can trigger a migraine attack, including what we eat and drink.
According to the Migraine Research Foundation, foods that trigger migraine may only do so when combined with other triggers. But this combination and any trigger in general is highly individualized, making research difficult.
Theres no such thing as a universal migraine trigger. But there are some common triggers that can cause or contribute to migraine episodes in some people.
Too much caffeine and experiencing caffeine withdrawal can cause migraine or headaches.
But according to the American Migraine Foundation, caffeine can actually help stop oncoming migraine attacks. It can also offer headache relief with occasional use.
Foods and drinks with caffeine include:
one study , over 35% of the participants with migraine reported that alcohol was one of their common triggers.
Red wine in particular was reported as a trigger in over 77% of the participants who reported alcohol as a trigger.
Alcohol can cause dehydration, which is a significant contributor in developing headaches.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is thought to be the second most common trigger for migraine attacks after alcohol. They say it affects an estimated 22 percent of people who experience migraine.
Chocolate contains both caffeine and beta-phenylethylamine, which may trigger headaches in some people.
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How To Get Rid Of Blue Light Headache And The Health Effects Of Blue Light
The issue with artificial blue light is that there is a myriad of ways it can be affecting your vulnerability to chronic migraine attacks. Suffering from migraines is not only uncomfortable due to the accompanying chronic pain, but it can also affect your ability to lead a normal happy life.
It is particularly common for those who experience headache disorders to not be able to work, and have to migrate to a dark bedroom away from bright light until the headache pain or migraine subsides.
This is not ideal for most human beings who also have many duties and responsibilities such as kids, and work!
Unfortunately, despite headache disorders being so common – there is no cure. However, there are recommendations and lifestyle changes that you can make which can minimize your risk of getting a migraine attack.
The usual protocol is the take over-the-counter medication, or embark on lifestyle changes to reduce your possible triggers.
However, migraine medication isnt necessarily a fool-proof long-term answer, and its certainly not ideal for those who experience nausea and sickness with the onset of a chronic headache!
But by eliminating over-exposure to blue light – you can reduce your environmental and biological risks which contribute to headaches and migraine pain.
Research shows that over-exposure to blue light can affect melatonin levels, and whilst this may not seem initially relevant to headaches – it surprisingly is.
Or Retain Water Instead
On the flip side, because cheese is high in sodium, Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN registered dietitian and founder of Real Nutrition, says it can also cause people who are salt-sensitive to retain water. That’s why individuals on low-sodium diets, like those with heart disease or high cholesterol, are often told to limit or avoid cheese.
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Cheese Allergy Is It The Protein In The Milk Or The Histamines
An allergy to cheese can be difficult to identify. Bit it may be necessary to avoid the dairy product if they do not wish to avoid allergy symptoms. As with all allergies the severity does vary from each different person, anything from mild nausea to anaphylactic shock.
One person could have mild allergic reactions while other people have a severe allergic reaction due to cheese.
With a real cheese allergy, the individuals body reacts to a protein or a number proteins contained in milk, mostly likely whey and casein. These proteins are perceived to be dangerous to your immune system which releases immunoglobulin E called to fight them off. Histamine is released, during this conflict, which causes the allergy symptoms.
In some cases, what appears to be a cheese allergy is really a sensitivity to the histamines naturally found in aged cheeses like parmesan, camembert, brie, gruyere, cheddar and Roquefort.
Normally, when you eat foods that contain histamine, an enzyme called Diamine oxidase helps break it down so it not noticed.
But for people with low levels of the enzyme who eat aged cheese, the histamines cause the same reactions that an allergic person would have were he to produce the histamine himself during the battle against milk proteins.
One of the most common symptoms of histamine intolerance is a rash.
Common Food & Drink Triggers
Aged Cheese: Aged cheese contains tyramine, an analogue of catecholamines, or stress hormones, formed as proteins in the cheese break down over time. The general rule is that the older the cheese, the higher the tyramine content. Examples of cheeses to avoid cheeses include cheddar, parmesan, gouda, blue cheese, gorgonzola, brie, and swiss.
Chocolate: Chocolate can trigger headaches in some people, which is real bummer for those of us who love chocolate! Some think the responsible agent is tyramine, the same trigger that is in aged cheese. Others say that you crave chocolate during stress and hormonal changes, both which trigger headaches. When eating chocolate try reducing the amount you eat, eating enough to satisfy the craving, but not so much that it triggers a headache.
Caffeine: Coffee, black tea, green tea, soft drinks. These are problems primarily because they contain caffeine. For some people, drinking too much caffeine can trigger a migraine. Paradoxically, in small doses caffeine can actually help a headache and is even included in some migraine medications. If youre drink at least 200 mg of caffeine a day , stopping your caffeine consumption will likely result in a caffeine withdrawal headache. Try slowly decreasing the amount of caffeine you drink and then stick with drinking the same amount regularly.
Filed Under: All Posts, , Featured, Headache and Migraine
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Foods That Trigger Headaches
Headaches and migraines are often triggered by certain foods. But not all headache triggers deserve their bad rap.
Theres nothing like a pounding headache to make you seek refuge in a dark, quiet room and hide from the world. If you suffer with chronic headache pain, you have great company. More than 45 million Americans have chronic headache pain from migraine, tension, or cluster headaches.
Women suffer headaches more frequently than men, perhaps because of variations in the brain chemical called serotonin, which plays a role in pain and depression. When levels of the hormone estrogen plummet, levels of serotonin change as well.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common headaches include:
- Cluster headache
- Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia , cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicranias
Whether you suffer with migraines, tension or sinus headaches, or headaches from arthritis or jaw pain, all headaches have one central thread that weaves them together: inner or outer triggers cause the body to react with pain thats felt in the head. These triggers may stem from foods, tobacco, chemicals, stress, environment, or your hormones, among other things, and may vary from one person to the next.
Does Blue Light Affect Migraines
Whilst more in-depth research is required in the field of migraines and blue light, the current research is showing positive results between blocking blue light and decreased symptoms of digital eye strain and migraine symptoms.
UC Davis University notes that because blue light scatters most easily, it can contribute to digital eye strain, and its symptoms such as headaches.
Researchers have found that migraine attacks are particularly more painful for migraine patients with the presence of blue light, in comparison to red light, and that blocking blue light could significantly reduce the experience of light-sensitive symptoms and pain during migraines.
To increase your protection against blue light headaches, combine our Yellow Lens DayMax Computer Glasses with our blue light blocking light bulbs. Our bespoke lightbulbs are specially crafted in different styles and for different situations to offer you all-around protection from those unwanted headaches.
Not only do our blue light blocking light bulbs protect your eyes during the night time, they holistically support your circadian rhythm, and hormones to ensure overall support against migraines.
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Booze Brings On Headaches
Too much will induce a headache in almost everyone. However, if you develop a headache after having just one glass of wine, beer or liquor, alcohol might be a headache trigger for you. This doesn’t mean you can never drink, but you’ll have to stick to certain spirits. Vodka always gives me a headache, so I abstain completely. Find out what bothers you and opt for something else. In addition, drink plenty of water if you’re drinking alcohol.
A Few More Potential Trigger Foods
Even though weâd hate to take the fun out of even more of your favorite foods, we should let you know about these other potential trigger foods. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these foods are commonly reported as migraine triggers, but thereâs no scientific evidence that they really cause them, so donât clean out your fridge just yet. Instead, turn to a migraine tracker to see if any of these might be causing you pain.
- Avocados
- Chicken livers and other organ meats
- Dairy products like buttermilk, sour cream, and yogurt
- Dried fruits like dates, figs, and raisins
- Garlic
- Most beans including lima, fava, navy, pinto, garbanzo, lentils, and snow peas
- Onions
- Pickled foods like olives, sauerkraut, and, of course, pickles
- Potato chips
- Some fresh fruits like ripe bananas, papaya, red plums, raspberries, kiwi, and pineapple
- Smoked or dried fish
- Tomato-based products
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Can Blue Cheese Cause Headaches
Blood pressure rises when blood vessels narrow, causing headaches and migraines. Cheddar, Swiss, Muenster, blue cheese, English Stilton, Gorgonzola, feta, and Brie are the most common cheeses linked to migraines.
What Cheeses Cause Migraines? If you get a headache after eating cheese, its probably an aged variety like Swiss, Parmesan, Brie, or cheddar. Tyramine, a natural substance found in various foods, is abundant in aged cheeses. Tyramine constricts and dilates blood vessels, which can produce headaches.
Is Blue Cheese Bad For Migraines? Tyramine, a chemical formed when the proteins in cheese break down over time, could be the culprit. The amount of tyramine in a cheese increases as it ages. Blue cheese, Swiss, cheddar, Gouda, and Parmesan are some of the cheeses you might wish to avoid on a migraine diet to avoid migraines.
How Do You Get Rid Of A Cheese Headache? Natural Headache Relief: 18 Home Remedies Drink plenty of water. You can get a headache if you dont drink enough water. Take a magnesium supplement. Consume alcohol in moderation. Make sure you get enough sleep. Foods High in Histamine Should Be Avoided. Make use of essential oils. Consider taking a B-Complex vitamin. Use a cold compress to relieve pain.
Food Additives That Trigger Headaches And Migraines
Do your headaches seem to come out of nowhere sometimes?
You may be surprised to learn that chemicals hidden in the foods you eat may be causing your painful symptoms.
Read below to discover 9 food additives that are known to trigger headaches and migraines, plus tips to determine what your own personal triggers may be.
Contents
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Whats The Link Between Tyramine And Headaches
Because of its chemical structure, tyramine is called a monoamine. Thereâs an enzyme in our bodies that breaks down monoamines called monoamine oxidase . This enzyme helps process tyramine.
If you get migraines and donât have enough MAO in your system, you could get headaches after you eat foods with tyramine.
Scientists made the connection after anti-depression drugs that inhibit MAO went on the market in the 1950s. People taking the drugs began to get headaches and high blood pressure when they ate foods containing tyramine.
Experts are still trying to understand how tyramine triggers migraines. One explanation is that it causes nerve cells in your brain to release the chemical norepinephrine. Having higher levels of tyramine in your system — along with an unusual level of brain chemicals — can cause changes in the brain that lead to headaches.
Does Dairy Cause Headaches
With the exception of tyramine in aged cheeses, the research on dairy and headaches has yielded mixed results. For instance, the review in Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports points out that processed dairy foods like cheese and ice cream are more often reported as triggers than plain milk.
On the other hand, a study involving nearly 84,000 university students, published in January 2020 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine, found that dairy intake was inversely associated with headaches. In fact, those who consumed the most dairy foods were 19 percent less likely to have headaches.
One reason for the mixed findings on dairy is that, unlike food allergies, food sensitivities can be hard to pinpoint.
A review of studies on migraines and food sensitivity testing, published in November 2019 in Current Pain and Headache Reports, notes that food sensitivities may trigger inflammation in the body, which may cause skin rashes, digestive symptoms, fatigue and headaches. However, not only can the symptoms vary, but they also may take hours or days to appear, which makes it difficult to identify the cause.
Read more:Should I Cut Dairy Out of My Diet?
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Red Wine And Other Types Of Alcohol
Red wine contains tannins, which are the flavonoids, or plant chemicals, that make the wine dry and puckering. Some research indicates that tannins may cause the brain to increase the production of serotonin, which can trigger migraines in certain people.
But its not just red wine that can trigger headaches. Drinking any type of alcohol increases the amount of blood flow to the brain and can lead to dehydration, which can result in a headache.
Red Wine And Other Alcoholic Beverages Are Foods That Trigger Migraines
Sulfites, used as preservatives in red wine, are included in the list of foods that trigger migraines. Alcohol in any drink causes increased blood flow to your brain and can also result in dehydration, both of which might be headache triggers. “People with migraines tend to get worse hangovers from any type of alcohol,” notes Robert Daroff, MD, professor of neurology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland and past president of the American Headache Society. Alcohol will also trigger a headache in someone going through a period of cluster headaches.
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Salad Dressings And Sauces
If you get a headache after eating Chinese food, barbecued chicken or beef, or even salads, the culprit causing your headache might be monosodium glutamate . This ingredient is used as a flavor enhancer in soy sauce, barbecue sauces and salad dressings, as well as potato chips, lunchmeat and more. This one can be tricky to track because MSG also shows up on ingredient lists as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed oat flour, glutamic acid, autolyzed yeast, sodium or calcium caseinate and other terms.
Even though many people can consume nitrates, nitrites, sulfites, tyramine and MSG without problems, some people are sensitive to certain ingredient triggers, especially migraine sufferers. If you think your headaches are food related, thats why tracking what you eat each time you have a headache can be so helpful. Share your concerns and your tracking notes with your doctor to find out the best ways to avoid or relieve food and drink related headaches.
Be sure to keep our convenient, on-the-go stick packs of BC® Original pain relief powder on hand for quick pain relief whenever a headache pops up.
