Dealing With Migraine Headache

Built by Teresita C. Tayanes on Monday, October 30th, 2006

A Migraine headache is defined as ” a vascular headache that involves the excessive dilation or contraction of the brain’s blood vessels.” The word “migraine” comes from the Greek word “hemicrania”, which means “half a skull”. Anyone who have experienced migraine would attest that the pain is severe and is often centered at the temple or behind one ear.

Although doctors do not know why people get migraine, it is known that certain factors are involved in triggering an attack. Most people have read or been told that they should avoid cheese, chocolate, and red wine if they have migraine. Others linked certain foods such as citrus fruits and alcohol as a recognized triggers. Other factors that might trigger a migraine headache are : missing meals or eating snacks instead of a proper meal, sleepless nights or changes in sleeping pattern, hormonal changes in women, muscle tensions and emotional triggers such as stress and anxiety.

Dr. Gary S. Sy, a medical doctor and author from the Philippines, recommended some ways in managing the pain from migraine headaches :

1. Eat small meals, and eat small, nutritious snacks between meals if needed. Avoid missing meals.

2. Omit from the diet foods that contain amino acid tyramine including aged meats, avocados, bananas, beer, cabbage, canned fish, dairy products, eggplant, cheese, potatoes, tomatoes, wine and yeast. Avoid alcoholic beverages, aspirin, chocolate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates (preservation found in hotdogs and luncheon meats) and spicy foods.

3. Get regular moderate exercise.

4. Massage the neck and back of the head daily.

5. Do not smoke, and avoid second hand smoke.

6. Try coffee as a migraine treatment. At the first sign of a migraine attack, drink 1 or 2 cups of strong coffee, then lie down in dark quiet room.

7. See your dentist for treatment of any tooth problems that may contribute to the problems.

If the pattern of your headaches changes, it is important to visit your doctor to make sure of the correct diagnosis.