that people who get them have blood vessels that overreact to various
triggers--frequently food--causing constriction and then dilation of
the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The result is a pulsing,
often incapacitating pain that is sometimes accompanied by nausea,
vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
The trigger could be a glass of soda, a bite of cheese, even that
delicious samosa from your local Halal Deli. The chemicals they
contain set off a reaction in the supersensitive central nervous system
that's behind these debilitating headaches. And since there are no
treatments that can desensitize you, your best bet at evading a
migraine is to avoid what triggers it. Here's how to eat for maximum
relief.
Know what makes you hurt.
Some scientists believe that migraine-triggering foods contain
chemicals that constrict arteries, while others believe they set off an
allergic reaction. Whatever the mechanism behind it, a food-triggered
migraine usually occurs shortly after you eat.
To avoid the pain, you need to know--and skip--the foods that initiate
it. To find your worst offenders, keep a diary that lists when your
headaches occur, how severe they are, additional symptoms, what you've
eaten, sleep patterns, menstrual cycles, and any other pertinent
factors, including food cravings. Studies show that if you're just
dying for a hot dog, a banana, yogurt, or sweets, it could be a signal
that a headache is less than 72 hours away.
Try not to miss a meal.
Fasting or skipping a meal can cause a dip in blood sugar and bring on
a headache. To keep your blood sugar constant and minimize the effects
of a missed meal, try eating frequent mini-meals and snacks throughout
the day.
P.S. I'll be talking about some of the things that can help those dilated blood vessels up in your head in coming entries, insha Allah...
Until then:
Don't stress yourself out
Stay cool if exposed to heat for prolonged periods
If you have highblood pressure, watch the salts
Stay away from processed foods as much as possible
