Headache Elimination Diet to Fight Headache Pain

In medical term, headache is known as cephalalgia, a continuous pain in the head. According to American Academy of Neurology, there are 4 types of headache; vascular headache, muscle contraction headache, traction headache and inflammatory headache. The common type of headache is tension headache which affects most adults and adolescents. The factors can be due to stress, depression, anxiety, bad posture and diets. Painkillers such as paracetamol, naproxen, aspirin and ibuprofen are usually being taken to reduce pain.

Some supplements and medications also can trigger headaches. Be alert on the side effects of the drugs used. Medications that may cause headaches include oral contraceptives, corticosteroids, hormone therapy, antihistamines, chemotherapy and blood thinning medicines. However, not all people tend to get the side effects after taking the medications. It is better to deal with medical practitioners or pharmacists to get more information.

In medical nutrition therapy, there is a headache diet that can be followed to reduce the headache pain. Certain food additives such as monosodium glutamate and nitrate or nitrite can be headache triggers. Thus, limit or avoid the intake of food that contain monosodium glutamate, nitrate and nitrite. Try to avoid eating at the fast-food restaurants. The food may contain high amount of monosodium glutamate. Do not skip meal and eat the right food at the right time. Skipping meal can cause fluctuations blood sugar level that can cause headache. It is better if we choose to eat fresh natural food instead of eating processed, frozen or canned food. Do not eat outdated or expired food. 

Tyramine free-diet is prescribed to people who cannot tolerate to tyramine. For examples, those who are diagnosed with migraine or patients who are prescribed with monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) antidepressants, such as phenelzine, selegiline and isocarboxazid. The high intake of tyramine can cause headache, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and increase blood pressure. Most of wines and beers contain tyramine, sulfites and nitrates that can contribute to headaches. Avoid aged cheese, soy sauce, aged meats, pickled fish, tofu and dried fruit because they contain high amount of  tyramine. Try to avoid overripe avocados and figs. Many fruits have low tyramine content when fresh, but the tyramine content may rise if the fruits are allowed to age and spoil.

In addition, a headache diary can assist us in identifying the headache triggers. It can be done by recording the diet intake during the previous 24 hours when the headache starts to happen. Record your stress level and your sleep time. If possible, try to identify what made the headache stop. Or else, record anything that is related to headache.Try to get diet therapy before taking the medications to treat headaches pain. You can do it!!

References:

1. Headache-Proof Your Diet. Health.com. Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20566895_2,00.html
2. Holden, K. (2006). Meal Ideas and Menus: Avoiding High-Tyramine Foods Made Easy. TEVA Neuroscience
3. Jay W. Marks. (2013). Headache. Medicine.Net.com
4. Low Tyramine Diet. (2008). Patient Education, Diet and Nutrition. Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Health Learning Centers.
5. Nazario, B. (2004). Fighting Food-Related Headaches. Migraines  & Headaches Health Center. WebMD.
6. Nordqvist. C. (2013). What Are Headaches? What Causes Headaches?. Headaches and Migraines. Medical News Today.
7. Tyramine-Free Diet. Truestar Health. Retrieved from http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1300008.html
8. William H. Blahd, Jr. & H. Michael O'Connor. (2010). Medicines That Can Cause Headache. Migraines  & Headaches Health Center. WebMD.