Foods that are high in salt, or sodium, can be a migraine trigger for some people, but too little sodium in your system may cause headache pain, too. Most people get plenty of salt in their diet through snacks and processed food, as well as salt as a seasoning. However, sodium levels can drop to dangerous levels if you become dehydrated while exercising or from health problems such as kidney failure, heart failure, liver failure and cancer. Some medications also have an impact on sodium levels.
Migraines
Migraines are a specific type of severe headache. Migraines can be debilitating; many people need to lie down in a dark, quiet place to escape from the pain, which can last for hours or days. The headaches also may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, diarrhea and lightheadedness. Genetics and environmental factors may contribute to migraines.
Hypertension
If you get too much sodium in your diet, it can cause your body to retain fluid. When that happens, blood pressure levels can rise, causing a condition called hypertension. Most people with high blood pressure don't even know they have it, unless a doctor finds the problem during a checkup. Elevated blood pressure may cause a headache, but these dull headaches are different than migraines.
Hyponatremia
When the level of sodium in your body drops to very low levels, you can experience a condition called hyponatremia. Your body uses sodium to control the amount of water in and around your cells to maintain blood pressure and help nerves and muscles work properly. If sodium levels outside cells are too low, water moves into the cells to maintain a balance, causing cells to swell. Hyponatremia can cause a range of health conditions from nausea, vomiting and fatigue to seizures, unconsciousness and coma. Headaches can be another symptom of hyponatremia, though not specifically migraines.
Foods and Beverages
There are many foods and beverages that can trigger migraines, and salty foods may be a problem for some people. Some of the most common triggers include alcohol, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, aged cheeses, monosodium glutamate and processed foods, which may be high in sodium. By keeping a headache diary, you can track whether salty foods are a trigger for you and take steps to eliminate or cut back on the problem foods in your diet.
References
- MayoClinic: Migraine
- Linus Pauling Institute: Micronutrient Information Center: Sodium
- UCLA Headache Research and Treatment Program: Migraine: Questions and Answers for Patients
- MayoClinic: Hyponatremia
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hyponatremia
- MayoClinic: High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
