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Herbal Remedies Center Herbal Remedies Center
Buy MiGone Plus to:
- Prevent migraines and chronic headaches, including cluster headaches
- Reduce muscle tension and spasm
- Stop tension headaches before they start
- Relieve the symptoms of arthritis
- Improve liver functioning and the elimination of toxins
- Relax and reduce anxiety and tension
- Prevent menstrual cramps
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What causes headaches and migraines?
10 reasons why you suffer from migraine
Very often, migraine and headache are mistaken for one another.
But there is a thin line of demarcation between the two.
 What's a migraine?
Migraine is a throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head, caused by the narrowing and dilating of the blood vessels on one side of the brain. An attack may last up to two days.
There are two main types of migraine:
Common: slowly developing severe headache, lasting from a few hours to two days, made worse by the smallest movement or noise, nausea and sometimes vomitting.
Classical: headache preceded by an aura which generally takes the form of a visual disturbance.
This may consist of:
- A temporary loss of vision, focusing problem, blind spots and flashing lights.
- Possible speech problem
- Occasional weakness or temporary paralysis of the limbs or extremities
- Nausea and vomitting
- Sensitivity to light.
What's a headache?
Headaches, on the other hand, are a common complaint. For the most part, they happen from because of muscular tension in the head, neck or shoulder or due to congestion of the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and muscles.
Generally, there is a sensation of a tight band around the head, a feeling of pressure at the top of the head, bursting and throbbing sensation, eye and neck pain, dizziness.
Stress -- thanks to a hectic, competitive life style -- is a cause, but changes in the dietary habits may be equally important.
Dietary factors known to activate the headache mechanism are called 'migraine triggers'.
Here are some causes that are known to precipitate migraines and headaches:
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Causes of Migraine
Hereditary
Fatigue
Exercise
Sleep deprivation
Bright lights
Head trauma
Infection
Menstruation
Oral contraceptives
Hormonal changes |
Causes of Headache
Stress
Tiredness
Poor posture
Caffeine
Alcohol
Drugs
Food allergy
Eye strain
Sinusitus
Low blood sugar
Head Injury
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Chemicals that trigger migraines
Here are some chemicals in foods that trigger migraine headaches:
Tyramine and other amines, including phenylethylamine and histamine
Patients with dietary migraine are sensitive to tyramine-containing foods. Tyramine leads to dilation of the nerves in the brain, resulting in a rush of blood, which tiggers the migraine.
Tyramine is found in:
- Cheese, especially aged, strong and Cheddar varieties
- Beer
- Wine
- Pickled herring
- Chicken liver
- Yeast
- Coffee
- Broad beans pods
- Citrus and canned figs
- Bananas
- Eggs
- Oranges
- Spinach and tomatoes
Phenylethylamine is found in chocolates; octopamine in citrus fruits; histamine in red wine and beers.
Chocolate-induced migraine
Phenylethylamine, theobromine and caffeine are chemical triggers present in chocolate. They may cause a headache by altering the cerebral blood flow.
Caffeine withdrawal headache
Caffeine causes constriction of cerebral blood vessels. When caffeine intake is interrupted, the blood vessels dilate and the increase in cerebral blood flow results in headache.
Alcoholic beverages and migraine
Alcohol per se is probably not a migraine-provoking chemical, but the tyramine and histamine contained in many red wines and beers are said to provoke migraines.
Some believe that grapes that are originally grown and wines that are free of sulfites are less likely to trigger headaches. Stress may act as a secondary trigger in some situations.
A migraineur exposed to a stressful and tiring work environment may complain of an inability to tolerate wine, whereas the same person on a relaxing vacation may drink and enjoy the same wine without suffering headaches.
Nitrates, Nitrites headache
Hot dogs and other cured meats like bacon, ham and salami contain nitrates.
Beets, lettuce, celery, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and potatoes contribute the largest portion of nitrate to the daily diet.
Nitrites are formed by the reduction of nitrates and are responsible for headaches, and flushing of the face and neck.
Nitrites can cause low oxygen levels in the blood, which imparts a slate grey colour to the skin.
Aspartame triggered migraine
If you already have a headache, and if you consume anything containing aspartame (artificial sweeteners like Sugar Free, Diet Coke, Equal), you might get a migraine.
Ice cream headache
Such a pain is generally located above the forehead or behind the eyes. It may be caused due to a reflex constriction of blood vessels around the head, resulting in a headache.
Food allergy and migraine
Various foods, like cow's milk, eggs and wheat cereal, in addition to amine-rich chocolate, orange and cheese may provoke headache in migraine susceptible people.
Monosodium glutamate or the Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
Also known as MSG, this has been linked to the frequent use of MSG in some Asian foods.
There are reports of flushing, tingling, dizziness and headache. It is also generally found in frozen foods, canned soups, salad dressings, processed meats, sauces and snack foods.
Hunger and hypoglycemic headaches
Fasting and consequent low blood sugar levels may trigger headaches in patients with migraine.
Avoid consuming anything high or rich in carbohydrates. Else, it could result in a rapid secretion of insulin, thus lowering blood sugar levels.
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