HEADACHE & MIGRAINE TREATMENT & RELIEF:
DIETARY ADVICE
A Food diary is always useful to demonstrate a relationship with dietand head pain.
Consider dietary triggers where attacks relate to certain foods.
Consider blood sugars where attacks relate to timing of meals and sugar content of foods.
Many different approaches exist for addressing dietary problems, and triggers in relation to headache treatment and migraine treatment. It is important to address any problems in the context of the individual; and to look for other potential factors which may also be contributing to the onset of head-pain attacks. For example, an individual may have a history of neck problems, menstrual related migraines, food sensitivities, and regularly skips meals. In such cases a 'combined approach' to the problem may have more success than addressing the dietary problems alone.This means that the neck problems should be addressed, the menstrual cycle investigated (and any contraceptive issues), and food triggers removed as well as dietary habits modified.
In any case, dietary problems can be addressed to varying extents by the following professions
- Dieticians - these health professionals are highly trained in assessing, and modifying dietary habits. Everything from cooking methods, eating habits, and food groups can be scrutinised and modified.
- Chiropractors, Medical Doctors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths - all of these professions have a certain level of training in Nutrition and Dietary issues, and can give valuable guidance in identifying problems that may be contributing to headaches and migraines. Also problems which may warrant further investigation by a specialist can be identified, and the appropriate steps taken.
- Naturopaths - this health care profession is also highly trained in dietary related issues, as well as natural substitutes and herbal therapies. Many headache and migraine sufferers report excellent results with some forms of herbal therapies, and naturopaths have much to offer in this area.
All dietary issues should be properly assessed, to obtain optimal results.
Dietary problems often accompany other problems and should be addressed as part of the whole headache and migraine picture.
All cases of headache & migraine need to be properly diagnosed by a trained health care professional first.your family doctor is ideally positioned to help make decisions with you and co-ordinate any therapeutic trials. Many cases have a number of causes (not just one), so it is important to consider a combination of therapies / or approaches when this is the case.
Head Pain Articles by Head Pain Experts
Inner Ear Pain
Inner Ear The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully assessed… Read More
Middle Ear Pain
Middle Ear pain The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully… Read More
Outer Ear Pain
Outer Ear Pain The ear is generally described in three parts: outer, middle and inner. Different conditions can affect each of these separately or can progressively involve all parts of the ear bone and its surrounding structures. Pain , especially constant or worsening pain about the ear, is a serious symptom and must be carefully… Read More
Brain Haemorrhages
Brain Haemorrhages The blood vessels within the skull are sensitive to pain stimuli, as to are the surrounding membranes that hold the brain in the correct position. When a blood vessel ruptures (either spontaneously or due to trauma / or pressure), it usually causes a sudden, severe headache, and may displace some of the brain… Read More
Brain-Nerve Tumours
Brain-Nerve Tumours Tumours in and around the brain can certainly cause headaches, but fortunately they are fairly rare in occurrence. Depending on the type of tumour and the location, symptoms will vary. Most often there is a slow progressive increase in pressure inside the skull (as the tumour grows), so symptoms are usually also slow… Read More
Nerve Infections
Nerve Infections Some infections such as Meningitis can cause headaches and migraine like symptoms. Usually these cases will also be accompanied by the associated symptoms of an infection (such as fever, rash, and feeling unwell); but this may not be the case in all patients. Other symptoms can include stiffness in the neck (usually of… Read More
Brain and Nerve Diseases and Damage
Brain and Nerve Diseases and Damage Some conditions involve inflammation or degeneration of nerve tissue in the brain, spinal cord, and / or nerves in the body itself. This situation can cause irritation to these nerves and consequently can lead to pain in the head and face regions. Multiple Sclerosis is one such condition, and… Read More
Post Trauma Headaches and other problems
Post Trauma Headaches and other problems Post trauma headaches are a common result of ‘concussion’, where there has been a blow to the head or sudden jolting of the head (ie: car accident, falling off a horse). It is very important to get these headaches properly investigated by a medical expert, as there may be… Read More
Intracranial Pressure
Brain / nerve pains IntraCranial Pressure: pressure within the skull INCREASED PRESSURE INSIDE THE SKULL The brain is surrounded by fluid called ‘cerebrospinal’ fluid which bathes it with nutrients, and provides a cushion for the sensitive nerve cells (called neurones) which make up much of the brain tissue. The pressure of this fluid is usually… Read More
Jaw Pain – TMJ & TMD and Headaches
Jaw Pain – TMJ & TMD and Headaches The joint of the lower jaw is known as the Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ), and it joins the skull in close proximity to the ears. Problems arising within either of these joints are often referred to as Temporo-Mandibular joint Disorders, or (TMD). TMD can arise from many factors… Read More