Dietary Habits and Migraines

There are several different foods, beverages, and additives that are known to trigger migraines. But what you may not know is that your daily routine and dietary habits maybe a migraine trigger.

Skipping meals, fasting and dieting can cause headaches and trigger migraines.

I always recommend to my patients that they establish a strict daily routine and always eat meals around the same time each day. You should not only be keeping a food diary but also a headache diary to monitor what day and time they occur.

Check out the topic on specific food triggers for an in depth look at some food types that are notorious for causing headaches and triggering migraines.

Migraine Triggers

“’Triggers” are specific factors that may increase your risk of having a migraine attack. The migraine sufferer has inherited a sensitive nervous system that under certain circumstances can lead to migraine.

Triggers do not ‘cause’ migraine. Instead, they are thought to activate processes that cause migraine in people who are prone to the condition. A certain trigger will not induce a migraine in every person; and, in a single migraine sufferer, a trigger may not cause a migraine every time. By keeping a headache diary, you will be able to identify some triggers for your particular headaches. Check back on this website for a “Migraine Resources: page where we will post a form you can use for a headache diary.

Once you have identified triggers, it will be easier for you to avoid them and reduce your chances of having a migraine attack.” —American Council for Headache Education

The following is a list of the main categories of Migraine Triggers. Check the blog topics that discuss each main category in detail.

Migraine Trigger Categories

-Dietary

-Sleep

-Hormonal

-Stress

-Physical

-Environmental

Migraine Headache Diagnosis

Early diagnosis and treatment are important in identifying a serious underlying cause for your headache. In most cases, an in-depth history and physical examination can help determine if your symptoms are related to an easily treated problem, or if it is more serious. At Wellness Within we use many different tests to evaluate and reproduce the symptoms of your headache to help develop a specific management plan for your condition.

At Wellness Within Chiropractic Center our main focus is the treatment and prevention of Migraine headaches, and blood pressure is one of many parameters we look at when we monitor a patient’s health status.

The iHealth blood pressure monitoring system utilizes the latest technology in evaluating a patient’s heart rate, blood pressure and pulse wave. This system uses an iPad interface that provides fast and accurate results.

While blood pressure is an important measurement we monitor, irritation to the spinal nerves and the brain stem is our primary concern. Nerve tissue in the upper cervical spine that experiences irritation is often responsible for directly affecting blood pressure and is also a known cause of migraines.

Schedule an appointment today to find out if chiropractic adjustments may help lower your blood pressure or treat your migraines.

Migraines:

This particular condition is what is responsible for identifying why chiropractic was my life’s calling. I am passionate about treating people who suffer with migraines because I want to provide relief to those who endure this kind of pain the same way chiropractic gave me relief and let me take back my life.

Every patient is unique and not all migraines are the same, but I will utilize all my knowledge and resources to determine what might be contributing to the cause of the condition is and what treatments are available. If you or someone you care about suffers from migraine headaches the following symptoms will sound all too familiar.

Migraine Symptoms:

THROBBING, PULSATING PAIN

PAIN CAN BE SEVERE OR DULL

SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT AND OR SOUND

VERTIGO

NAUSEA

FATIGUE

DIZZINESS

LOSS OF APPETITE

VOMITING

NECK PAIN

PAIN THAT INTEREFERS WITH NORMAL ACTIVITIES

PAIN SOMETIMES MAY BE WORSE ON THE SIDES OF THE FOREHEAD OR ONLY ONE SIDE OF THE HEAD

PAIN THAT GETS WORSE WITH ACTIVITY

COMMONLY LASTS 6 TO 48 HOURS

YOU ARE NOT ALONE:

More than 23 MILLION people suffer from migraine headaches?

Over half of those people miss more than two days of work per MONTH.

DID YOU KNOW?

The CAUSE of migraine headaches are no longer considered vascular-based phenomena (meaning blood vessel constriction and dilatation). While the exact cause of migraines is still unknown the following is the most up to date theory that describes the cause as:

A spreading wave of neuronal activity (interference) in the central nervous system.

Misalignments of the spine interrupt its normal functions. It can cause abnormal motion of the vertebral joints, PAIN, degeneration of the spine, muscle tenderness and INTERFERENCE of the nervous system.

Helping the body heal itself by gently correcting misalignments that result in painful symptoms is exactly what chiropractic does.

At Wellness Within Chiropractic Center, our goal is to help our patients identify the CAUSE of the condition/dysfunction, RELIEVE pain and discomfort and RESTORE normal function. We want to teach our patients stretches and exercises to stabilize their spine and help them recognize the factors that can trigger pain and dysfunction, so they can resume a normal lifestyle.

Why put up with the pain? Make an appointment today and get on the road to living a healthier lifestyle and discover your Wellness Within.

Dr. Dan J. Sallee, DC

March, 2011

We are now accepting new patients!

Our grand opening is on Tuesday March 1st. Call today to schedule an appointment and discover

your wellness within. (913) 953-7411

Please visit our website for more information. www.WellnessWithinChiropractic.com