Migraine problem? These could be the reasons
A woman holding her head, as if suffering from a headache.
What you need to know:
Headaches and migraines are also often caused by blood sugar dips. The solution?
Eat a diet that keeps your blood sugar level even, and avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates.
Never skip breakfast, and eat slow releasing carbs (such as wholegrains, brown rice, lentils and beans) with protein. Snack on low-sugar fruit such as apples, strawberries and pears.
The migraine is among the 20 most disabling lifetime conditions. Assuming that there are no underlying conditions causing the migraines (a doctor should verify this), there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the likelihood of a migraine.
A migraine is a severe, pounding headache triggered by the blood vessels in the head constricting and dilating. Though migraines can affect the entire head, they usually begin on one side (hence the name migraine, from the Greek word hemikrania, meaning “half the skull”).
The first step is to avoid common trigger foods. Many of these contain the amino acid tyramine, and include offal, cheese, peanuts, chocolate, certain beans and cured meat.
Also steer clear of monosodium glutamate (MSG), caffeinated drinks and red wine. Keeping hydrated is also paramount – aim for at least two litres of water a day.
This is where most people stop, believing that migraines are something they’ll always have to live with and. This isn’t true.
The blood sugar factor
Headaches and migraines are also often caused by blood sugar dips. The solution?
Eat a diet that keeps your blood sugar level even, and avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. Never skip breakfast, and eat slow releasing carbs (such as wholegrains, brown rice, lentils and beans) with protein. Snack on low-sugar fruit such as apples, strawberries and pears.
A magnesium deficiency can also set the stage for the events that can cause migraines.
Magnesium counteracts the clotting action of calcium, which won’t happen efficiently if levels are low. Tiny blood clots then clog up the tiny blood vessels in the brain, leading to a migraine. Supplementing with magnesium helps to stop this process and relaxes blood vessels. Take 150-300 mg a day.
Feverfew, widely used in Europe, is also a popular natural migraine remedy. An anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever, several studies have shown that it can markedly decrease both the frequency and severity of migraines when taken over several months.
The suggested dose is 250 mg every morning (feverfew is most effective when taken daily for extended periods). Look for standardised preparations containing at least 0.4 per cent parthenolide, the active ingredient.
