Know the foods and drinks that exacerbate migraine attacks

Expert comments about foods and drinks that trigger migraines

There are more than 150 types of headaches, and migraine (migraine) is one of these and the most widespread in the world community. It is a neurovascular disease caused by a chemical imbalance in the central nervous system. It is characterized by a throbbing pain on only one side of the head, the frequency of which ranges from well-spaced episodes to several times a month, with episodes lasting up to 72 hours. There is still a type of migraine that does not cause pain, the main characteristics of which are lightheadedness, dizziness, and imbalance.

Migraines have four main phases: prodromal (onset), aura, crisis, and post-headache, respectively, in that order, but not all people always go through them. The disease is divided into two subtypes: without aura (75% of cases) and aura (25%). Migraine without aura is unilateral pain, of moderate or severe intensity, and may increase with routine physical activity. The individual feels nausea, photophobia (intolerance to light), discomfort to strong sounds and smells, in addition to having an upset stomach.

Discomfort with the aura is associated with transient focal neurological symptoms, which anticipate or accompany a headache. An aura is a physiological warning that affects vision or other senses. On the other hand, the neurological symptoms of the disease appear on only one side of the body or the visual field, and it can affect speech, whether it is sensory or motor.

The causes of migraines can be multiple, and there is still a lot of science to study and explain in this area. However, some conditions can trigger this condition, such as stress, indiscriminate use of medications, smoking habits, prolonged fasting and even the wrong consumption of certain drinks and foods,” explains nutritionist Nadia Caroline Mambili-Majri, course coordinator on feed from Anhanguera College.

The specialist explains that each organism has a different sensitivity to foods, so it is important to conduct a nutritional assessment to determine which of them cause undesirable effects in each person. Coffee, for example, in moderation is considered healthy, but in a migraine attack, it can make the pain worse in organisms that are more sensitive to nutrients. Those who drink frequently and cut out consumption abruptly, without doing “weaning”, can cause a crisis.

“It is not recommended to deprive an individual of consumption, the right thing is to make a proper diagnosis that allows treatment to avoid crises. In addition, the simple removal of a particular food from the diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies that can impair the proper functioning of the body,” he comments.

Red wine, brandy and beer are among the drinks that cause pain. The food group includes aged cheese, ham, chocolate, dairy products and even citrus fruits, because they contain vasoactive amines: octopamine, phenylalanine and tyramine. Food additives that cause migraines are aspartame, monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrate and various dyes. Eating packaged and preserved foods is a trigger for migraines, as are ultra-processed foods that contain a lot of preservatives, colorings, and artificial additives.

The curator stresses the importance of maintaining a healthy diet at all times and not just during migraines. Water is essential for maintaining the body’s balance and is directly related to migraine attacks. After the crisis is over, the post-crisis phase occurs, even without pain, the individual does not have the energy to devote himself to activities, especially intellectual activities, since the phase is similar to a gesture in which there is fatigue.

“A good advice to avoid crises is to maintain a balanced diet, with the consumption of healthy foods, at the expense of industrial products, and to drink plenty of water. In addition, these habits, in addition to preventing migraines, also contribute to the general health of the organism and the prolongation of life ‘ concludes Nadia.