Why do certain foods cause you to get migrain headaches?

Answer 1

The exact reason some foods trigger migraines isn't known. Some foods that contain tyramine are know to trigger migraines. Alcohol; caffeine; MSG, nitrates, and other preservatives; artificial sweeteners can all be triggers, but you have to figure out which ones are triggers for YOU because everyone's body reacts differently.

When you consume a food or drink that's a trigger for you, overactive neurons in the brain fire in a wave across the brain, starting a chain reaction that produces a migraine attack. Keep in mind that a trigger food can trigger a migraine up to 48 hours after you consume it.

Check http://headaches.about.com/od/migrainetriggers/a/food_triggers.htm for an article about trigger foods and a trigger identification workbook.

Answer 2

taking a medicine that stops the migraines isn't "band-aiding" the problem. it is *stopping* the problem. Sometimes what causes the migraines to happen is never found. Yes, some dietary items can make them worse. And, yes, mom, an allergy *can* bring on a migraine. One of the problems with specialists is that they only look for problems within their specialty. I've had migraines for over thirty years. Like your son, they would blindside me (literally, I get the aura) and I'd fall to the floor and vomit. No cause has ever been found. And believe me, I've had ever test that could be thought up in the past three decades. H***, I even found a voodoo practitioner and begged for help. Only way that helped was that the room was darkened. I'm on a migraine preventative now. FINALLY one that now works for me. Oddly, it didn't work several years ago when I first tried it. But it's given me a measure of my life back. I no longer have to wear sunglasses in the house because lights are too bright. Let the neurologist test him. But also take him to an allergist, it can't hurt. Be aware though that your son may have to learn how to adjust his life to this. It can be done. Good luck.

Answer 3

High sodium contents, monosodium glutamate, aspartame, or any other preservative, additive or ingredients which your body is not used to or allergic to.