“I know when they are coming. I see spots in the corner of my eyes for 45 minutes. And then I need to lay down cause I get dizzy. Then the full blown throbbing starts from my forehead to the back of my neck. It (the pain) pulses like I have a second heart in my head. When they hit, there is no recovery. I need to go in a dark room. I am sensitive to everything.” This is how Ann Austin describes her experience with migraine.
Tammy Willey-Vyce shared her past experience. “I would start to get tingles in my head, by my eyes. It would come out of nowhere, fast. I would have to sit down and would bend over. I would be completely debilitated with my hands over my head. My leg would start to shake uncontrollably, like my body was trying to redirect the pain.”
Everyone can experience migraines differently, but there is one common thread – pain that brings your day to a dead stop. According to the National Institute of Health, 14 percent of the world suffer from migraine (more women than men). There are both acute and chronic migraines. The World Health Organization’s impression is that headache has been underestimated, under-recognized and under-treated throughout the world.
It is actually difficult to diagnose a migraine; often it involves ruling out all other problems. We know migraine is primarily linked to head pain, but can be abdominal. Migraine is actually a neurological disease. It typically begins in adolescence, but those aged 35- 45 years have the biggest issue with migraines. There may be a hereditary factor. Once you have had a migraine, you most likely will have this problem for a lifetime; symptoms typically decrease over the age of 60.
Before a migraine, people report changes in well-being (as much as two days beforehand). Surprisingly, some migraineurs (someone with migraines) feel energized, hyperactive and elated. Others suddenly become fatigued, constipated, irritated and feel depressed; overpowering yawning is often present before migraine.
Migraines can occur with an “aura” (visual disturbances) or without (know as common migraine). Before the pain, at the start of an “aura” type migraine there may be slurred speech and confusion. More often people report seeing spots, flashing/shimmering light, tracks of bright white light and/or colors. This is replaced with decreases in vision and/or dark areas in the field of vision. Common migraines skip these symptoms.
Regardless of aura, during an attack we know that the brain makes inflammatory, pain generating chemicals around the nerves and blood vessels in the head. During an attack you may also have these symptoms:
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness/fainting
• Light/sound sensitivity
• Nausea/vomiting
• Numbness/heaviness in arms, hands, feet, legs
• Pain on only one side and/or switching sides
• Pulsing pain
• Stiff neck
• Stroke-like symptoms
• Sweating
• Tingling in extremities
A migraine may run it’s course in a matter of hours, but has been known to last 4-6 days. In children, attacks are shorter but more severe. There are medications you can take immediately if a migraine does strike. There are also preventive medications.
Ask any migraineur, once you have had a migraine, you never want another. So, the first step is to look at risk factors. There are some risk factors you cannot control such as age, genetics, menstruation/menopause, and gender. However, there are many risk factors involving lifestyle. Change these and you lower the possiblilty of suffering again. So, decrease stress, treat depression, take medication as prescribed, decrease weight (if overweight), sleep better, avoid fasting, limit strong odors/perfumes/flashing lights and eliminate caffeine.
Many migraineurs may also have food senstivities, intolerances and allergies. It is crucial to be tested so suspect food(s) can be removed from your plate. More often there are triggers that lead to migraine. There are no specific tests for triggers, so it will be up to you to determine what the culprits are in your kitchen.
Possible Migraine Triggers
• Aged/fermented cheeses (Cheddar, Bleu, Brie, all hard & “moldy” cheeses)
• Alcohol (beer, red/white wine, sherry, vermouth; and those preserved with sulfites)
• Apple juice/cider
• Aspartame (NutraSweet ™)
• Avocado
• Chocolate
• Citrus
• Coffee
• Corned beef
• Dairy
• Intensely sweetened foods
• Left-overs (with protein foods)
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG) (Chinese food, soups mixes, chips, processed meats, etc.)
• Nitrites (deli, hot dogs, jerky, pepperoni, sausage)
• Nuts
• Over-ripe bananas
• Pork
• Processed meats/fruit/vegetables that are cured/smoked/pickled/canned
• Red skinned apples and pears
• Soy
• Sulfite dried fruit
• Tea
• Vinegar (balsamic, red)
It’s true, one migraine is one too many. The key is taking the steps necessary to lower your risk. So, make those lifestyle changes and figure out your triggers. Giving up a favorite food or losing some weight may be difficult, but any migraineur will certainly tell you it sure beats the incapacitation of your next migraine.
Jennifer Giffune, R.D., L.D.N. Is a freelance author, professional speaker and nutrition counselor. She currently is providing nutrition counseling services for Hampden County Physician Associates at their offices in Westfield, Southwick, Feeding Hills and West Springfield. If you would like to schedule a counseling session with Jennifer, please call (413) 786-1500.
