Migraine News and Tips
Did you know migraine sufferers have different brains from other people?
It’s true. The latest neuroscience reveals that those who experience migraines have marked differences in their brain structures. Migraine-prone individuals experience sensory input – including pain – differently from those who never get migraines. Their brain matter in the area that counts, the somatosensory cortex, is thicker. What scientists don’t know is if migraines cause brain matter changes, or if some folks are simply born with different brains and are therefore susceptible to migraines later in life. Folks with Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis have similar brain differences.
Unlike chronic tension headaches or reactive headaches (such as those brought on by consuming too much alcohol or caffeine withdrawal), migraine headaches are dangerous because they alter the brain permanently. That’s why it is essential for migraine sufferers to treat their migraines through both natural and medical avenues. Experts explain that it is imperative for migraine-prone individuals to limit the severity and frequency of their migraines; that is, it is actually safer for a migraine sufferer to take a limited amount of migraine medication in order to reduce the aggregate damage of ongoing migraines left untreated. This is a case where I don’t come down on the use of a pharmaceutical therapy (yes, you heard it from me). While migraine treatments can have side effects, the alternative – downing huge piles of pills in desperation when a migraine hits – is demonstrably worse for your health. Of course, there are often triggers for migraine, and it’s crucial to examine your lifestyle and eliminate any triggers – especially now that we know such violent headaches may alter your brain structure.
Common Triggers
- Refined carbohydrates
- Chocolate
- Overripe fruit
- Alcohol
- Sweets
- Caffeine
- Sleep deprivation
- Menstrual cycles
- Stress
- Smoke (cigarette/cigar smoke)
- Excess sun (or too little sun)
- Anxiety
Seeing a pattern here? Migraine rates have increased in recent years. While better diagnosis probably plays a significant role in this, I believe our standard American lifestyle is clearly implicated as well. Few folks eat fresh, chemical-free, sugar-free, unprocessed foods as a matter of course. Going further, our modern pace of living is incredibly stressful, both emotionally and hormonally. If you suffer from migraines, give my Primal Health lifestyle a try and see if that helps clear things up (link 1, link 2). If you’re a regular reader you know we focus on fresh, clean, wholesome foods, coupled with stress management (both physical and mental).
Migraine Myths
Curious about migraines? I’m lucky; I don’t get them. But I’ve got friends and family members and staff who have experienced these terrible, gut-wrenching, blinding headaches. For the record, a migraine is not simply a really bad headache. They are a true health condition, like inflammation or bipolar disorder. You can’t will them away and the pain is not an exaggeration.
- Migraines can’t be cured.
While this is generally true, they can often be controlled and even eliminated (if that’s not “cured”…). A staff member suffered migraines for years; after cutting out all carbohydrates from grain sources, the migraines cleared up permanently. Diet, lifestyle, and medical therapy can all help to keep migraines under control for good.
- Migraines are caused by allergies/toxins.
Conspiracy theorists wish it were true. Migraines are not caused by allergies or contaminants. While lifestyle plays a dramatic part in migraine treatment, it is unclear if lifestyle causes migraines, or if some folks are simply more susceptible to migraines due to brain differences. This recent study we discussed above seems to suggest the latter. While we all have a single genetic “blueprint” finished some 10,000 years ago, there are bound to be plenty of variations. Some of us are lactose-intolerant; others cannot metabolize alcohol; and others experience migraines. I believe migraines are likely due to a combination of slight genetic variation combined with modern lifestyle factors.
Auntie P Flickr Photo (CC)
Further Reading:
Americans Popping Pills in Record Numbers
7 Tips to Beat Stress Right Now
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Posted By: Mark Sisson
You’ve left off fragrances from the list of triggers. Fragrances are one of the primary environmental migraine triggers, and not mentioning them prominently is misrepresenting the situation.
Hi folks,
I have had migraines for several years now. At first I did not even knew they were migraine attacks. Just passed them as severe headaches occuring now & then.
My doctor prescribed me some medicines. I took it for 3 months. It did not work at all.
Another doctor prescribed me some different medicines which did not work too.
A relative of mine told to try HOMEOPATHY. I was reluctant at first because I had not got any effects for my acne problems. But still I decided to give it a shot.
And there you are in 2 days, my migraines were gone. These homeopathic pills are not even harmful like allopathic ones.
I suggest evryone to give HOMEOPATHY a shot to cure migraines.
Lots of good info here. I have suffered from migraines since adolesence but not diagnosed as such until midway through my 2nd pregnancy, 5 years ago.
I have been on Imitrex (didn’t help), Relpax and Zomax which got me through (both helped greatly but left with a medicine-hangover the next day), prophylatic Propranalol and then Nadolol (neither helped), continuous birth control (Seasonale), didn’t help.
Also tried acupuncture which didn’t really help either, though it was suggested I needed to eat warm foods and avoid shocking my system with cold foods.
Anyway, just over a year ago I was diagnosed with a condition of mild insulin resistance and it was suggested I try a low-carb diet. After about a month of working on this diet (which took some effort because I’m also vegetarian – and i *love* baked goods), I felt nearly completely cured of migraines. It was amazing and has been amazing ever since.
I am currently in the 2nd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy and migraines are returning – either because of the hormonal component or the increasing difficulty I’m having with sticking to low-carb in the face of needing more daily calories – my next avenue is craniosacral therapy which was recommended by my OB/Gyn. I was surprised to not see this therapy mentioned here – I have read many good things about it and believe and has some potential to work.
Anyway, I highly recommend working on diet and trying a low-carb lifestyle to cure migraines.
From high school to now (over 20 years), I’ve gotten migraines at least once a month. I was fairly certain that hormones were the cause, because the migraines always hit during my period, and they stopped completely while I was pregnant.
But in the 7 weeks since I began eating at least 80% Primally, I have not had a single migraine, and I am beyond grateful. If I never have to scramble for a dose of Imitrex again, I will be a very happy woman.
As an update to my previous post, I am now into my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, migraines have significantly improved (and are treatable with tylenol or the occasional excedrin, ok’d by my Ob), despite my eating many more carbs than I was pre-pregnancy. The hormone stability at this stage of pregnancy is definitely playing a positive role.
I have also been training in biofeedback with a neurologist which is very intriguing and seems to be working as well.
I know I will likely be in for a potential migraine onslaught post-delivery, and won’t be able to fully acclimate back to a low-carb lifestyle while nursing, but it’s so great to feel like I have some tricks up my sleeve and options now. It’s very empowering.
I’ve suffered with migraines since I was 14 years old. I’m now 47. The last three years have seen a huge increase in the amount of migraines. Averageing 14 a month.
I’ve been following a low carb diet for about 18 months, with 2 lapses. After the last lapse I went totally ketogenic. My migaines stopped. As in, stopped completley for two months.
I got lazy, ate some fast food here and there, relaxed on the carbs, still low carb, probalby about 20 – 50 per day. The migraines came back.
I’m back to ketogenic and migraine free.
I can live without the carbs.
Way better.
You said that you ate fast food…
I also experience severe migraine and mine are triggered by msg (didn’t know that until I started this diet). I live migraine free now but I know it isn’t due to carbs because I’ve cheated on occasion with no relapse BUT I’m now positive they are MSG induced. Not just “MSG” but all 16 names that it can be listed under. the way I found out is buy ordering Wendy’s chili thinking it was “carb-free”. It has MSG in it and damn near put me in the hospital! You should really watch and see what you eat. It is literally in everything…look for words like “modified, autolyzed, or hyddrolyzied” all of which mean MSG. I think you might be suprised what it is in. I have a migraine now b/c I got stupid and ate a jimmy dean sausage patty yesterday.
Hi sounds like we are trying the same approach! How are you doing? I just started ketogenic diet for migraines only 2 days in so far,
This is an older thread but I thought I’d comment because I don’t see anyone with a similar experience and it may prove helpful to someone.
I have been getting migraines since I was 27. They started at a time when other seemingly unrelated things were going haywire in my body (reflux, sinuses, chronic fatigue, back pain, hair loss, joint pain, bowel trouble.)
Several years I happened into a chiropractor’s office. He was the first doc to listen and theorize on how and why all those crazy things happened at once: it was the end of my second pregnancy and all of the relaxed joints led to my hip tilting backward on one side and a little shock wave up my spine. After two weeks of adjustments I was like a new person. Within a few months I was almost 100 percent better. The only lingering problem is the migraines, sinus and fatigue, and they seem to all come together. I think some of it is due to diet too, but when I do have a migraine, one or two adjustments in the same day completely fixes me.
My chiro has offered some good advice that keeps me from having to come in as often: he thinks many migraines begin in the neck or upper back due to people looking down at books, computer keyboards, etc. He also thinks I worked the front of my neck muscles a lot with Pilates and crunches and neglected my back to create an imbalance that pulls my head forward and my vertebrae out of place.
So, I am careful to take breaks and stretch my neck (with cobra type exercises.) But once I have one, I either take a pill, or see him and in a few seconds I feel so much better.
I would suggest that anyone who feels the pain begin in their neck or at the base of the skull seek a chiropractor that they’ve heard lots of good things about. One who recognizes that it can address problems like reflux or allergies. I can only guess how many meds my family would be on right now if it weren’t for him. Btw, I don’t have to go in very often now either and he has shown my family many tricks we can do at home to help with migraines when they are just beginning.
Chocolate
Caffeine
Insufficient sleep
Hormone changes
Barometric pressure changes
Wine (sulfites – so even when used for cooking)
Processed meats (sodium nitrite – so all of the tastiest meats)
Migraines are tricky. I can get them sometime swith no pain at all, just the visual disturbances, nausea and stiffness. On the other hand, when I get one with pain it’s a pretty easy guarantee that I’ll have it for 3 days. Really awful.
I think the scariest was one I had about 15 years ago, when I was in my early 30s. It was a pretty bad one, and when it was gone I decided to make a run to the grocery store. I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen… and I couldn’t remember how to write. It took about 10 minutes for it to finally kick in, but it was very frightening. Adds credence to the idea that migraines do some real damage each time.
I’ve cut out the food triggers, switched up my hormones (yea for menopause!) and get enough sleep, but there’s absolutely nothing I can do about that stinkin’ weather.
Been Paleo/Primal (essentially Low Carb/High Fat with some dairy- cheese and Heavy Whipping Cream with berries and my coffee) for six to seven months. For 30 plus years I have suffered at least one to two debilitating migraines per month: blind spots/auras, etc. In fact, that picture on this post makes me want to have one.
Although, I’m already suffering just my second migraine in those seven months. Don’t know what triggered it the first time, but guess what I ate yesterday? Pop Chips. What do they have in common with another known trigger of mine (Slim Fast shakes- used to eat them as a meal when on the road until about a year ago I know I got a migraine from drinking two real fast)? Maltodextrin.
Nasty stuff. Horrible migraine today. Went to a party and for first 30 minutes I could barely remember the names of people I have known for 15 years. If this doesn’t (aside from the 25 lbs. I’ve lost) keep me High Fat/Low Carb Primal I don’t know what will.
Believe me, I am never eating PopChips again. Cheers.
An interesting article and certainly a good read about migraines
This is what I was looking for. I started the Primal Blueprint about 2 1/2 months ago and noticed I haven’t had a migraine since. I was wondering if this was the cause of my happy news. So in addition to “curing” my arthritis, the Blueprint has “cured” my migraines. I don’t see how I can turn back. The 43 lbs I’ve lost so far don’t hurt either!
I have to agree that I also used to have daily migraines which were stopped with a gluten free diet. I think your dismissal of food allergens is unproven by research. Do a quick search of gluten intolerance and migraine. There are quite a few studies backing this in reputable medical journals, though I don’t disagree with other things you said. Reduced insulin sensitivity is also a factor for me and I’m sure is related to success for others with eating gluten free. I now avoid anything that will spike my blood sugar levels and try to eat frequently and exercise. I have also found success with taking a magnesium pill nightly to reduce morning headaches but, diarrhea is a big side effect for me so I abandoned that. I think tension and migraine headaches are on more of a continuum at least for me, I get both (though very infrequent migraines with diet changes). With our modern lifestyle it’s hard to eliminate migraines but it’s possible for many people to lessen them if you change diet, exercise,drink plenty of fluids and learn to relax. Like others, I wish a doctor had suggested these things to me instead of doing research on my own. I hope others will be helped by your post.
Any one else get sleep paralysis with there migraines? The scariest thing that has ever happened to me! And it happens every time I have a migraine pretty much. Your awake and conscious but your body is cometely paralyzed, which is freaky enough without the visual and auditory hallucinations, sometimes it’s so real. And if you struggle it just makes it worse! Hopefully my migraines will completely clear up when I fully go primal after coming back from Cambodia and Thailand in two weeks.. Only problem then, if I don’t take me preventative meds, which are actually a small dose of anti depressants, I get chronic hayfever, and I mean 2-3 times per day.. Which isn’t good since I wear contacts.. Hopefully going primal will clear up all my allergies which are being constantly added to since I turned 15?!
I am also a chronic migraine sufferer–I get regular headaches about 2-3x/week and about 1-2 migraines/month if I medicate on time. I get 1-2 migraines/year that send me to hospital because after several hours of vomitting, I usually go into shock and suffer from convulsions. I usually deal with them by taking at least 3 advil and either a gravol or benadryl to make me stay very still and help me snooze while I wait for the next 8 hours to pass… I take magnesium and vitamin B. I knew that eating primal/paleo was helpful, and THOUGHT it was due to sugar stabilizing, but reading some of the posts on Robb Wolf’s blog, there is some suggestion that not just grain-free, but also nuts can trigger some blood-vessel-dilation-related migraines and fermented foods like cheese, yogurt and vinegar, can trigger other kinds. I will have to try to experiment with watching nut intake becuase I have definately gotten migraines after being hungry all day and wolfing down a few handfulls of nuts–I thought it was just becuase I made a poor protein choice but maybe there’s more to it. But I wonder–if I go ketogenic to control migraines, is a ketogenic diet really sustainable long-term?
I suffered with migraines my whole life. Miserable, throwing up, bedridden, can’t move and inch, can’t stand light type of migraines.
I drank Dr.Pepper out the wazoo, consumed mass amounts of sugar, breads,and pastas.
I tried 3 different migraine prescriptions and had finally ended up just popping Excedrin when one came about.
Then a year a go, I went primal and cut all of that out.
My migraines stopped. Completely. I was getting them a minimum of twice a month and all of a sudden I wasn’t getting them anymore.
It was a miracle, a relief, an act of God….but in reality, just a switch back to the natural ways of Grok.
I’ve had migraines consistently since I was 12. That is 20 years of migraines. I always get them, without fail, during my period or if I have alcohol. I have a few other triggers as well. My menstrual migraines effect me for anywhere from 2 – 5 days in a row a month. I also usually get 1 other 2-day migraine a month.
Well, I’ve been primal now for about 60 days, and went off the birth control pill. Not only is my period much lighter with no cramping, but I haven’t had a migraine this period either.
I’ve just started taking Mag-Tab SR (slow release and won’t cause diarrhea) as a prophylactic just in case. I’ve also ordered some Magonate tablets to keep on hand for an oncoming migraine. Regarding magnesium, I found http://barttersite.org/magnesium-supplementation/ to be very helpful. Scroll down to the bottom for migraine specific information.
I have to disagree with toxins being a myth, because every time I use chlorine to clean, the fumes will give me a migraine (the really bad kind with vomiting and everything) later that day or even the next day, it happens every time.
I stopped using it, but I tried it once in awhile and every time it triggered a migraine.
On the plus side, that’s the only way I get a migraine ever since I’ve gone Primal.
There is a diet that restricts amines and salicylates which has helped some. The girl above mentioned chicken & apples – check it out to add in more foods – Failsafe. You can tweak it to make it paleo.
Also check out the low carb migraine site in German, use Google Chrome to translate it. miginfo.de. It recommends a paleo type HFLC ketogenic diet for migraines. The diet is laid out in Life Without Bread, by Allan and Lutz, with a slow transition to low carb.
Love all the info.
But I was hopeing to hear more about sugar and migraines?
Also if I take an anahistime I avoid migraines? I would like to know why?
I have a gluten intolerance as well.
I love all the info.
But would like to know more about sugar and migraines and what it’s doing to me to cause me to have one?
Also antihistamines keeps me from having migraines, why??
I am also intolerant of wheat and gluten.