According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraines are one of the most disabling medical illnesses, with the majority of sufferers unable to work or function normally during their migraine attacks. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin needed to help maintain normal levels of phosphorus and calcium in the blood. According to MayoClinic.com, vitamin D may also help health conditions such as high blood pressure and osteoporosis. A vitamin D deficiency may cause migraines.
Migraines
Migraines are a very painful type of headache, which usually last from 4 to 72 hours. Some migraine sufferers experience sensory warning symptoms, commonly called auras, before a migraine such as flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in the arm or leg. Typical symptoms of a migraine include throbbing head pain, sensitivity to sound and light and nausea. The exact cause of a migraine is unknown but according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, changes in blood flow are involved and there appears to be a genetic link. Common migraine triggers include foods, such as cheese and red wine, stress, hormonal changes in women, bright lights, certain medications, a change in the weather and intense physical exertion.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be found in two forms: ergocalciferol, also known as D2, which is synthesized, by plants and cholecalciferol, also known as D3. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.
Vitamin D3 and Migraines
In a study published in a 2010 issue of the "Journal of Headache and Pain," researchers comment that recent observations indicate a worldwide vitamin D insufficiency and that low vitamin D levels are linked with higher incidence of chronic pain. The authors noted an increased frequency of migraine attacks in autumn and winter with the least attacks in the summer. This profile of migraines matches with the seasonal variations of vitamin D3 levels, which are higher in the summer months and lower in autumn and winter. The team conclude that this research shows that vitamin D3 deficiency may play a role in the cause of migraine headaches.
Considerations
According to MayoClinic.com, a doctor should be consulted if your pattern of headaches suddenly becomes different, is accompanied by double vision, numbness, stiff neck, rash or fever or if a medication that usually takes away the pain no longer works.
References
- Migraine Research Foundation: What is Migraine?
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine headache
- MayoClinic.com: Vitamin D
- "Journal of Headache and Pain": The prevalence of headache may be related with the latitude: a possible role of Vitamin D insufficiency?; S. Prakash et al.; Aug 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Migraine
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