Migraine Headaches:
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Migraine Triggers List: Many Migraine attacks are preceded by what is medically known as a Prodrome, which is a precursor, or a set of symptoms that occur early on as a signal of an impending Migraine attack; the Prodrome precedes an Aura, which is a perceptional disturbance, or a telltale sign that some Migraine sufferers inherently recognise as a precursor to an attack, it could be a specific smell, a distorted pattern of light or a general period of confusion, although this is not common to all Migraine sufferers. It's important to understand that Migraine triggers are different for different people and while some triggers are common, the only person who can truly compile an exhaustive list is someone who suffers from this debilitating condition. Identifying the internal or external factors that can set a Migraine in motion, will enable you to avoid these factors over time; making a comprehensive Migraine triggers list may involve going over the occurrences of a couple of days that precede an attack and trying to identify a pattern between successive sessions; along with external factors there has been evidence to show that certain foods can set off a reaction, that in turn, behaves as a trigger, which prompts the formulation of a Migraine trigger diet that will limit the contents of meals to foods that are perceived as 'safe'. Identifying Migraine Triggers: Whilst identifying what constitutes Migraine trigger foods, remember that eating such items can prompt a Migraine attack that can start up to 48 hours after the food has been consumed; try and record your eating habits in a food diary, which can help a good deal in the formation of a comprehensive list of trigger foods over time; a summary of potential foods that trigger Migraines is listed below: In particular, foods containing Tyramine, an Amine compound, can be some of the most prone to set off a Migraine attack; Tyramine may cause the dilation of blood vessels and elevate the Blood Pressure, which some believe can trigger an attack; high levels of Tyramine are found in Beans, some Aged Cheeses; Chili Peppers; Chocolate and Cocoa products; Olives; Pickles and Processed Meats. Other food triggers include most Alcoholic Beverages; Aspartame and other Sugar Substitutes; Coffee and other Caffeine products; Fruits like Avocados, Bananas, Citrus Fruits and Plums; Cured Meats like Bacon, Pepperoni and Salami; anything that contains Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), a flavour enhancing food additive, which includes processed foods such as Instant Noodles, Packet Soups and Ready made Meals like TV dinners; Foods that contain Soy products; Sulfites in Red Wine and Freshly Baked Yeast Bread. NB. For some regular coffee drinkers, a Lack of regular Caffeine can trigger withdrawal symptoms that in turn can set off a Migraine attack. When creating a Migraine triggers list, remember that the triggers are specific to the individual and the above lists are only guidelines that can help you to identify the triggers, or possible sources of triggers; unfortunately, it may take several Migraine attacks before you are able to form a comprehensive list of the things to avoid, but once you have identified your Migraine triggers, keeping the Migraine attacks at bay will become much easier. Other Amines which can trigger Migraines include Phenylalanine, Phenylethylamine, Octopamine, Serotonin, Dopsmine and Histamine; Migraine sufferers should also stay away from all Tobacco related products, as it contains Nicotine which also intensifies Migraine attacks; for many people though, dietary Amines are quickly broken down and hence don't pose a threat; foods that are known to be high in Amines that lead to Migraines are Cheeses; Fruits like Avocados, Bananas, Dried Figs, Papayas, Pineapples, Plums, Raisins and Tomatoes; Canned or Processed Meats; Nuts; Peanut Butters; Canned Soups; Spinach; Tofu; Vegetables like Beans and Onions; Yeast and yeast extracts and Yogurts. Food Preservatives: Food preservatives or additives are also closely associated with Migraine headaches and a lot of processed foods contain food additives in varying amounts; the ones known to trigger Migraines are Aspartame; MonoSodium Glutamate (MSG), which is commonly used in Chinese foods; Nitrates; Nitrites and Sulphites. Milk contains a protein known as 'Casein' which creates histamines, which in turn produce mucus; if the histamine level increases, a lot of mucus is produced, which puts pressure on the brain membranes, thus triggering Migraines; Dairy products to be avoided in order to minimise the intensity of Migraines are Cheese; Milk; Sour Cream and Yogurt. |
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