[Health&Healing] Headache Triggers: Specific Foods

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone...

 

Homeopathy has alot to say about headaches. And they can be looked

at in many different ways...

 

While one should watch and maintain as healthy a diet as possible,

if ingestion of certain foods creates disharmony in the body, then

perhaps the best way to treat the disharmony is to address the

digestion first.

 

To do this, homeopaths can take several routes. First of all, we

can look at remedies for aggravation after eatting in general. In

such cases, lycopodium is likely to spring to mind.

 

Or we can look at the specific food aggravations, such as: peanuts,

alcohol, cheese, etc., and then find the remedies corresponding to

the exact food causing the trouble.

 

Now that being said, drinking too much alcohol, no matter what you

do is going to play havoc on the system. Same with sugar, etc.

Homeopathy is not to replace or minimize a healthy diet, but instead

to strengthen the constitution through strengthening the digestion.

(Homeopathy is not limited to digestion, the same principle applies

when we address the respiration, menstration, ect.)

 

With headaches I would also want to know about bowel health and

movements. Homeopaths and the various assundry of Natural

Therapeutic Practitioners have long recognized the relationship

between digestive & eliminative health and the occurance of

headaches.

 

I hope you find this interesting...

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

 

Headache Triggers: Specific Foods

 

There are many foods that can trigger headaches. Not only can

specific foods trigger a headache, but dietary habits can also play

a role. Fasting, dehydration, or skipping meals may also cause

headaches. By tracking your headache episodes through your headache

diary, you may be able to identify specific foods that trigger your

headaches.

 

What Foods Triggers Headaches?

 

Some of the most common foods, beverages, and additives associated

with headaches include:

 

Aged cheese and other tyramine-containing foods: Tyramine is a

substance found naturally in some foods. It is formed from the

breakdown of protein as foods age. Generally, the longer a high-

protein food ages, the greater the tyramine content. The amount of

tyramine in cheeses differs greatly due to the variations in

processing, fermenting, aging, degradation or even bacterial

contamination. For people who take monoamine oxidase (MAO)

inhibitor medications to treat their headaches, it is especially

important to avoid all foods containing tyramine, including aged

cheeses, red wine, alcoholic beverages, and some processed meats, as

these foods can trigger severe hypertension.

 

Alcohol: Blood flow to your brain increases when you drink alcohol.

Some scientists blame the headache on impurities in alcohol or by-

products produced as your body metabolizes alcohol. Red wine, beer,

whiskey, and champagne are the most commonly identified headache

triggers.

 

Food additives: Food preservatives (or additives) contained in

certain foods can trigger headaches. The additives, nitrates and

nitrites, dilate blood vessels, causing headaches in some people.

 

Cold foods: Cold foods can cause headaches in some people. It's more

likely to occur if you are over-heated from exercise or hot

temperatures. Pain, which is felt in the forehead, peaks 25 to 60

seconds and lasts from several seconds to one or two minutes. More

than 90% of migraine sufferers report sensitivity to ice cream and

cold substances.

 

Do Other Foods Trigger Headaches?

 

These foods have been identified by some headache suffers as

triggers.

 

Peanuts, peanut butter, other nuts and seeds

Pizza

Potato chip products

Chicken livers and other organ meats

Smoked or dried fish

Sourdough bread, fresh baked yeast goods (donuts, cakes, homemade

breads and rolls)

Bread, crackers and desserts containing cheese

Certain fresh fruits including ripe bananas, citrus fruits, papaya,

red plums, raspberries, kiwi, pineapple

Dried fruits (figs, raisins, dates)

Soups made from meat extracts or bouillon (not homemade broth)

Cultured dairy products, sour cream, buttermilk, yogurt

Caffeine found in chocolate and cocoa; beverages such as coffee, tea

and

colas; also found in certain medications

Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners

What Cheeses Have High Tyramine Levels?

 

The following types of cheeses have been reported to be high in

tyramine:

 

Blue cheeses

Brie

Cheddar

Stilton

Feta

Gorgonzola

Mozzarella

Muenster

Parmesan

Swiss

Processed cheese

Other foods high in tyramine are: aged, canned, cured or processed

meats,

certain beans (fava, broad, garbanzo, lima, pinto), onions, olives,

pickles,

avocados, raisins, canned soups, and nuts.

 

What Food Products Contain Additives?

 

Hot dogs

Ham

Sausage

Bacon

Luncheon meats and deli-style meats

Pepperoni

Other cured or processed meats

Some heart medications

MSG (monosodium glutamate). MSG is a food additive/flavor enhancer

found in

soy sauce, meat tenderizer, Oriental foods, and a variety of

packaged

foods.

What Are the Symptoms of Food Additive-Induced Headaches?

 

Most symptoms begin within 20-25 minutes after consuming these

products.

They include:

 

Pressure in the chest

Tightening and pressure in the face

Burning sensation in the chest, neck or shoulders

Facial flushing

Dizziness

Headache pain across the front or sides of the head

Abdominal discomfort

 

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Headache Triggers: Smoking

 

Smoking and second-hand smoke from cigarettes, cigars, and pipes can

contribute to headaches for both the smoker and the non-smoker.

Nicotine, one of the components of tobacco, stimulates the blood

vessels in the brain to constrict (narrow). Smoking also stimulates

the nerves in the back of the throat, contributing to headache pain.

 

Usually, by removing the stimulus (nicotine), headaches will be

relieved. Quitting smoking or reducing exposure to second-hand smoke

is especially helpful for those with cluster headaches. In one study

of people with cluster headaches, those who reduced their tobacco

use by less than one-half pack of cigarettes per day found their

headaches decreased by 50%.

 

Allergy to smoke as well as odor sensitivity can also cause migraine

headaches in some people. By avoiding situations or places where

smoking is permitted, or by quitting smoking, most people can reduce

the onset of a migraine headache.

 

Next: Caffeine >

 

Reviewed by Department of Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic.

 

Medically reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, Dec. 2001, WebMD.

 

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Headache Triggers: Caffeine

 

Caffeine can be both beneficial and harmful for a headache sufferer.

It can serve as a treatment or in some cases, can cause withdrawal

or rebound headaches.

 

What Is Caffeine?

 

Caffeine is a commonly used drug that increases alertness, decreases

fatigue, and improves muscle coordination. Though coffee comes to

mind as the most common source of caffeine, it's also naturally

found in tea and chocolate, and it is often added to soft drinks and

non-prescription medications like pain-relievers and cold remedies.

People vary in their sensitivity to caffeine. If used excessively,

caffeine can be too stimulating and cause anxiety, sleep problems,

muscle twitching, or abdominal pain.

 

How Does Caffeine Treat Headaches?

 

Caffeine is a common ingredient in many prescription and

over-the-counter headache medications (see list below). Caffeine

additives make pain-relievers 40% more effective in treating

headaches. Caffeine also helps the body absorb headache medications

more quickly, bringing faster relief. By adding caffeine and, in

turn, taking less medication, you can reduce the risk for potential

side effects and possible drug addiction.

 

Common Over-The-Counter Drugs Containing Caffeine

 

Drug Name

Caffeine Content

 

Actamin Super

 

65.4 mg.

 

Anacin Maximum Strength

 

32 mg.

 

Anacin Tablets and Caplets

 

32 mg.

 

Aspirin-Free Excedrin Caplets

 

65 mg.

 

Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Pain Relief

 

65.4 mg.

 

Dristan Capsules

 

16 mg.

 

Excedrin Caplets

 

65 mg.

 

Excedrin Caplets Extra Strength

 

65 mg.

 

Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets and Tablets

 

65 mg.

 

Goody's Extra Strength Tablets

 

16.25 mg.

 

Goody's Headache Powder

 

32.5 mg.

 

Midol Menstrual Maximum Strength Caplets

 

60 mg.

 

Midol for Cramps Maximum Strength Caplets

 

32.4 mg.

 

NoDoz100 mg.

 

32.4 mg.

 

Pain Reliever Tablets

 

65 mg.

 

Vanquish Caplets

 

33 mg.

 

Vivarin

200 mg.

 

Common Prescription Drugs Containing Caffeine

 

Drug Name

Caffeine Content

 

Cafergot Suppositories (other names: Cafertrine, Cafetrate, Migergot,

Wigraine)

 

100 mg.

 

Cafergot Tablets (other names: Ercaf, Ergo-Caff, Gotamine, Wigraine)

 

100 mg.

 

Darvon Compound 65 Puvules

 

32.4 mg.

 

Fiorinal Capsules and Tablets

 

40 mg.

 

Fiorinal with Codeine No. 3

 

40 mg.

 

Norgesic Forte; Norphadrine Forte

 

60 mg.

 

Norgesic; Norphadrine Forte

 

30 mg.

 

Triaminicin with Codeine Tablets

30 mg.

 

Note: The drugs listed are some of the more common drugs containing

caffeine; all drugs containing caffeine are not included. Always

check the labels of over-the-counter medications for the caffeine

content. Or, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the caffeine

content of your medications.

 

Other Caffeine Sources

 

Beverages

 

Chocolate milk, chocolate milkshakes, hot chocolate, and chocolate

drinks

Cocoa mix, malt powder, chocolate flavoring

Cola and other sodas, like Mountain Dew or Surge (regular and diet)

Coffee

Tea

Chocolate or coffee liqueurs

NOTE: caffeine-free and decaffeinated beverages also contain small

amounts

of caffeine.

 

Foods

 

All chocolate products including brownies, cake, and éclairs

Chocolate candy including fudge and chocolate-covered coconut,

raisins, and peanuts

Chocolate-covered graham crackers (or chocolate-flavored graham

crackers)

Chocolate ice cream or pudding

 

Source: FDA's Center for Drugs and Biologics.

 

How Can I Prevent Caffeine Withdrawal?

 

Withdrawal from normal caffeine usage is rare. However, with excess

use, over 500 mg daily (approximately 5 cups of coffee) over a long

period of time, sudden cessation could cause symptoms of withdrawal.

You can avoid caffeine withdrawal by limiting your daily

consumption, being educated about sources of caffeine, and by

gradually decreasing the consumption rather than ending use abruptly.

 

Because of the risk of withdrawal, people should not take

caffeine-containing pain-relievers on a daily basis.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal?

 

Headache

Fatigue, drowsiness, or loss of energy

Irritability

Anxiety or depression

Nausea and/or vomiting

Decreased ability to concentrate or perform mental tasks

Can Caffeine Cause Rebound Headaches?

 

Rebound headache is a condition that develops from the overuse or

misuse of any headache medication, including caffeine-containing

medication. While caffeine-containing medications can be

beneficial, these medications, combined with consuming too much

caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks or chocolate) from other sources,

may make you more vulnerable to getting rebound headaches.

 

Relief from rebound headaches can only be accomplished by completely

quitting all medication; however, this should only be done under the

supervision of a doctor.

 

Get the Facts

 

Headache Types

Headaches in Children

Risk Factors

Tests You Take

Treatment Options

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