Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.

The Link Between Your Diet and Migraine Attacks

The Link Between Your Diet and Migraine Attacks

Nothing can derail your day or your week more than a migraine. These severe headaches typically cause pulsing pain on one side of the head and often come with an aura, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. They can last for hours or days and truly interfere with daily life.

Fortunately, there are ways to get migraines under control so you can live your life again — and our expert team at Glaser Pain Relief Center can help. As pain management specialists, we have numerous approaches you can rely on to manage your symptoms, from injectable medications for headache prevention to quick-dissolving drugs for acute symptoms. But that’s only the beginning. 

We also recommend closely examining your lifestyle to better understand what could be triggering your migraines in the first place. And that includes your diet.

Diet and migraine

Migraines are a complex neurological condition, and they can have numerous triggers, including your genes and environmental factors. To complicate matters, migraine triggers vary from person to person, making them difficult to identify. However, one common and controllable factor involves things you eat and drink. 

Dietary migraine triggers can include:

This list of possibilities is only the beginning, and we understand that it can seem overwhelming. 

However, starting a journal and tracking foods and beverages you consume on a daily basis can help you identify your own triggers — including whether a specific food is to blame or an ingredient or chemical it contains, like aspartame.

Putting a plan in action

Some food triggers can cause an attack immediately, while others can take up to 24 hours.

If you notice a link between any foods, drinks, ingredients, or chemicals and your migraines, it’s time to take action. For example, if you get a migraine 40% of the time when you have a glass of red wine, try cutting back to see if it helps — or avoid wine entirely for a month and see what happens.

Of course, depending on your trigger, this can be easier said than done. Some culprits are hidden in certain products — for example, MSG, which goes by other names, like sodium caseinate, monopotassium glutamate, and hydrolyzed protein. The safest bet could be avoiding a product if you don’t recognize the ingredients on the label.

An easier approach to reduce your chances of food-related migraine triggers is adjusting your diet overall. For the best results, work to:

And don’t forget to get plenty of sleep and regular physical activity to keep you feeling your best.

Do you need help getting your migraines under control? Contact Glaser Pain Relief Center to schedule a consultation with one of our interventional pain management specialists in the San Fernando Valley of Encino, California.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Botox® Can Treat My Migraines? How?

Are chronic migraines derailing your life? Their disabling symptoms can last for hours — or days. But they don’t have to. Botox® treatments may be able to stop your migraine before it even begins. Read on to learn how.
My Sciatica Is Unbearable: Do I Need Surgery?

My Sciatica Is Unbearable: Do I Need Surgery?

Sciatica can cause debilitating symptoms that often become even more intense when you sit. But there’s good news — you can find relief with no surgery required. Here’s what you should know.
Is Spinal Stenosis Reversible?

Is Spinal Stenosis Reversible?

Spinal stenosis can cause significant pain, cramping, and problems walking. Unfortunately, you can’t cure this spine issue, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it. Learn how the right treatment can ease your symptoms.
When Not to Push Through a Sports Injury

When Not to Push Through a Sports Injury

No one wants to stop training, especially with a big race or game coming up. However, “pushing through the pain” of an injury, even if it seems minor, can cause more serious problems. Here are a few signs of a sports injury you should never ignore.
 What to Expect After the Vertiflex™ Procedure

What to Expect After the Vertiflex™ Procedure

Do you have lower back pain due to spinal stenosis? It could be time to consider the Vertiflex™ Procedure. This minimally invasive procedure eliminates nerve compression by creating more space in the spine. Read on to learn more.
How PRP Helps Relieve Chronic Pain

How PRP Helps Relieve Chronic Pain

Struggling with chronic pain but don’t want to turn to risky medications or surgery to find relief? Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) could solve your problems with little or no downtime. Read on to learn what sets this innovative treatment apart.