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.
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