Migraine Headaches and Their Triggers
The US National Institute of Health estimates the 12 percent of Americans suffer from migraines. Migraine Headaches tend to begin in the adolescent years. Migraine frequency tends to peak during a person's 30s and gradually decrease in frequency as they age. The frequency of migraines suffers is higher in young boys than young girls but by adolescence girls have more migraines than boys. Migraines are three times more common in women than men. A family history of migraines increases the risk of developing migraines.
There are many things that can trigger migraines. Hormonal changes in women increase the frequency of migraine headaches just prior to their periods or during their periods. Pregnancy can also trigger migraine headaches. Skipping meals can trigger migraines. Certain foods also increase the risk of developing migraines.The most common foods to trigger migraines are chocolate, citrus fruits, aged cheese, beer, red wine and cured meets. Alcohol, MSG, caffeine and artificial sweeteners are common migraine triggering foods. It is recommended that sufferers use a food diary to try and determine if they are sensitive to particular foods. Sometimes the food or foods that triggers the migraine may have been eaten as long as 24 hours prior to the onset of the headache.
Stress can trigger migraines but frequently the headaches develop after the stress has subsided. Students frequently get migraines after finishing a stressful test. Some migraine suffers have more headaches on weekends when they get a chance to relax. Changes in physical activity, sexual activity, sleep patterns and even the weather can trigger migraines. Bright lights, loud sounds and strong smells can trigger headaches in some people. Perfume and cigarette smoke tend to be strong triggers of migraine headaches for many individuals.
Chiropractic spinal adjustments have been shown to help prevent migraines and ease the symptoms of migraine headaches. One study found that 22 percent of the participants reported a 90 percent reduction in their migraines after 2 months of chiropractic treatment. These participants said they had significantly fewer migraines and their migraines were of a shorter duration. Another study looked at the results of 22 separate chiropractic migraine treatment studies, which had a total of more than 2,600 patients. The overall results indicated that chiropractic treatment may serve as a good preventive treatment for migraines. Massage, biofeedback and acupuncture have also been shown to help migraine sufferers. Stress reduction and physical exercise help decrease the frequency of migraines. Supplementing with fish oils and an herb called butterbur have shown promise in reducing the frequency of migraines. One clinical trial of butterbur used 75 mgs twice a day and found a 68 percent reduction in migraines. Magnesium supplementation of 3 to 4.5 mgs per pound of body weight may be an effective preventative method. However; excess magnesium can cause loose stools. In addition, the following supplements have been helpful in decreasing the frequency of migraines for certain individuals. Feverfew at 100 mgs 4 times per day, Co-enzyme Q10 at 300 mgs 3 times per day and B2 at 200 mgs twice a day.
It is important to understand that there is no single answer for the successful treatment of most people's migraine headaches. Effective treatment usually requires a combination of methods and a trial and error method to find out what works best for the individual. Always consult with your doctor before beginning supplementation especially if you are also taking medications that may interact with the supplements.
Greg L. Crawford D.C., D.A.B.C.O. 1337 East Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 493-2105 http://ftcollinschiropractor.com