Headaches are very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 16 percent of those surveyed had a headache in the three preceding months. Headaches are an uncomfortable and potentially debilitating disease, preventing sufferers from enjoying the activities of daily living. Certain foods can trigger headaches, as can poor dietary habits.
Diagnosis
A person suffering from chronic headaches should consult a physician to rule out serious, life-threatening conditions such as tumors or high blood pressure. A doctor can help a patient diagnose and manage migraine headaches by providing a list of foods that may act as trigger for migraines. Immediate medical attention is needed if a headache is accompanied by chest pain, swelling, fever or if the headache is severe or cannot be relieved by conventional methods.
Food List
Certain foods and drinks are known to trigger headaches. A person should review a list of foods that can trigger headaches and determine if there is a connection between these foods and the occurrence of headaches for him. He could then use the list of foods to avoid these foods.
Treatment
Some headaches triggered by foods do not need treatment. A headache from eating ice cream or another cold food, for example, will subside on its own, usually within a couple of minutes. Most headaches caused by food can be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Acute or chronic headaches relating to food intake may require prescription medication or other treatments as directed by a physician.
Lack of Food
Fasting, dehydration and skipping meals may lead to headaches in some individuals. This can happen to people who are trying to lose weight, are fasting for a medical test, or because of a disease or condition. Dieters can easily remedy the headache by eating a small meal; others suffering headaches due to dehydration or some other medical reason may need nutritional support, such as intravenous feedings.
Tyramine
Foods that contain cheese can trigger headaches for those suffering migraines. Certain aged foods, like aged cheeses such as bleu cheese or swiss, contain tyramine, which has been linked to headaches. The National Headache Foundation says people who get headaches from tyramine can find relief by avoiding the foods that contain this naturally occurring substance.
Additives
Certain food additives in meats, such as nitrates and nitrites, can cause pain; hot dogs, sausage, bacon and lunch meats often contain these additives. These additives cause headaches by dilating the blood vessels to the brain, according to Cleveland Clinic. Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is another food additive known to cause discomfort in the front of sides of the head. Beverages such as alcohol or those containing caffeine can induce headaches. Sugar substitutes can cause head pain in some people.
