Migraine is a medical disorder characterized by severe pain that often becomes so intense that you might not be able to function normally. The exact mechanism migraine development has yet to be fully established, but there are numerous causes associated with migraine headaches. The food you eat can initiate and sustain migraine headaches.
Migraines
Migraines are intense, debilitating headaches that are often accompanied by visual or auditory hallucinations. The pain is described as a throbbing, penetrating pain usually located on one side of the head, WomensHealth.gov reports. The pain can be felt around the temples or behind the eye or ear. You might experience nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and an aversion to sound while suffering from a headache. Migraines often begin in the morning and can last as long as two days. Migraines typically affect women more than men and people ages 15 to 55. The migraines are more intense and frequent in younger patients and become less disabling as you age.
Foods That Might Cause a Migraine
Certain foods have been known to cause a migraine attack in patients who have a history of severe headaches, reports TeensHealth.com. Foods that are high in nitrates such as hot dogs, lunch meats and pizza can exacerbate migraine headaches. Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common seasoning in Asian foods that can cause you to develop a migraine headache. Fatty or fried foods, ice cream, yogurt and some cheeses also can cause migraines.
Beverage Triggers
Many beverages can trigger a migraine headache, according to MayoClinic.com. Alcoholic beverages can initiate the onset of a migraine headache, and drinks with high caffeine content, such as soda, coffee or tea, also have been linked to migraine headaches if you consume them in large amounts. Artificial sweeteners also have been identified with migraine onset.
Other Causes
In addition to certain food triggers, changes in hormone levels, stress and anxiety often are associated with the start of a migraine headache. If you aren't sleeping well or skip meals you might develop migraines. Often bright lights, strong odors, loud noises and abrupt changes in the weather also can be triggers, according to WomensHealth.gov.
Treatment
Your physician can choose from a variety of drugs to treat your migraine headaches. Migraines can be treated with pain-relieving medications and prevented with certain drugs, MayoClinic.com explains, and pain-relieving drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin are used to treat acute migraines and shorten the duration of the headache. Triptans, like sumatriptan, ergotamine and opiates, also can be used for pain relief.
You also might be given drugs that help prevent the onset of a migraine. Beta-blockers, antidepressant drugs and the botulinum toxin can reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. These medications carry potentially serious side effects and might need to be stopped after six months of effective treatment.
