Potential Dietary Triggers of Migraine Headache

	Potential Dietary Triggers of Migraine Headache
Disclaimer: All information provided should be considered as generalizations and not as specific information for any individual. Nor should this information be considered medical advice. This information needs to be considered in consultation with your family physician. Specific food allergies or medical conditions may make the provided information unsuitable for some individuals.	Summary: There are numerous dietary factors that are known to trigger migraine headaches. If you have been diagnosed with migraines you can use this list to help you determine what may act as a trigger for your migraines. Everyone is different. There may be several items here that trigger your migraines or there may be none. There may be triggers that are not on this list. If migraines are a problem for you, the best approach is to keep a headache diary and discuss your concerns with your family doctor or neurologist.	Mussels in White Wine and Basil
	Do I have migraines? There are many different types of migraines the most common being migraine without aura. The International Headache Society has provided the following criteria for Migraine without Aura (one requires A. and B. to make the diagnosis): A. At least five headache attacks lasting 4 - 72 hours (untreated or unsuccessfully treated), which has at least two of the four following characteristics: 1. Unilateral location 2. Pulsating quality 3. Moderate or severe intensity (inhibits or prohibits daily activities) 4. Aggravated by walking stairs or similar routine physical activity B. During headache at least one of the two following symptoms occur: 1. Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound) and photophobia (sensitivity to light) 2. Nausea and/or vomiting
	Only a physician can make the diagnosis of a migraine headache syndrome as a neurologic examination needs to be performed and needs to be normal. If you suspect that you may be suffering from migraine headaches it is worth talking to your physician about them as there are many effective treatments that both stop the migraine once it has developed (abortive treatments) and treatments to prevent frequent migraines from recurring (preventative treatments).	Green Curry Scallops
Roasted Red Pepper Soup	Potential Dietary Triggers of Migraine In general Missing a meal Low blood sugar Strong odors Specific foods Avocado Bananas Beans - pods of broad beans (lima, navy, and pea pods) Bread - hot fresh breads, raised coffeecakes, and doughnuts Cheese - ripened cheese (cheddar, emmentaler, gruyere, stilton, brie, and camembert) - less likely to trigger migraines: american, cottage, cream, and Velveeta Chocolate Citrus foods Cream - sour cream Fermented, pickled, or marninated foods Figs - canned Herring - pickled or smoked Liver - chicken livers Nuts Onions Peanut butter Pizza Pork Sausage - fermented sausage (bologna, salami, pepperoni, summer sausage, and hot dogs) Vinegar (except white vinegar) Specific Chemicals Alcohol (light white wines and vodka are less likely to trigger migraines) Aspartame Benzene Caffeine (and caffeine withdrawal) Excessive tea, coffee, cola beverages MSG Nitrites - as in preserved meats Talk to your family doctor about your headaches if they are problematic. Keep a headache diary and look out for these dietary triggers.	Vanilla Gelato
	Dr. Lawrence Korngut, M.D. Chief Neurology Resident London Health Sciences Centre London, Ontario, Canada