Tag Archives: Headache

An important trigger for headache is the withdrawal of caffeine. If you regularly drink three or four cups of coffee every morning, you may have a caffeine withdrawal headache later in that day if you skip your morning fix.

Other triggers for migraine are monosodium glutamate and nitrites. MSG is a flavour enhancer used in a variety of processed foods, while nitrites are used as preservatives in processed meats such as bacon, sausages and ham.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly reported dietary trigger factors for migraine. Vodka and red wines, especially those with a high histamine content, are problematic.

If you are susceptible to dietary triggers that cause migraine, you can adopt an ‘elimination diet’ that avoids the foods and beverages known to trigger headaches. An alternative approach could be to follow a comprehensive diet whose composition may prevent headaches.

Experts in the USA have identified three diets that may help prevent headaches. They are:

• low fat diets that restrict the amount of fat to less than 20% of daily energy requirements
• low carbohydrate diets, such as the Atkins diet
• diets that increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids and decrease omega-6 fatty acids.

You might eat more healthily into the bargain!

Migraine is a common condition that affects people of all ages, races and cultures. Two thirds of sufferers are women, and all migraine sufferers are more likely to experience migraine between the ages of 20 – 50 years. A migraine attack can last from four to 72 hours.

Migraine is more than just a headache. Other symptoms can include visual disturbances (flashing lights, blind spots in the vision), nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to light, noise or smells.

Despite this around 60% of sufferers never consult their GP because they mistakenly think that nothing can be done to help them. However, there is a wide range of effective treatments available, some on prescription, but many available from your pharmacy.

Migraine Awareness Week focussed on young people. If you have suffered migraines since childhood or your teenage years Migraine Action would love to hear from you. Go to http://www.migraine.org.uk/latest-news/misdiagnosed-misunderstood-missing-out/ to find out more.

Did you know you can get a headache from taking too many painkillers? This chronic condition is called ‘medication overuse headache’, and it can develop when you have been taking painkillers, such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen frequently for three months or longer.

Around 2% of adults get headaches from overusing painkillers and it is five times more common in women than men. People who suffer from migraine or tension headache, or those who are treating pain symptoms regularly, are most likely to be affected.

So, if you are taking painkillers frequently, and getting headaches on 15 or more days a month, speak to your pharmacist or GP. You will probably be advised to stop taking the over-used medicine. Unfortunately, your headache symptoms are likely to get worse before they improve, as it can take between two to ten days for the medicines to completely clear your system.

After that, if medication overuse was the only cause of your headache, you should be in the clear!

Did you know you can get a headache from taking too many painkillers? This chronic condition is called ‘medication overuse headache’, and it can develop when you have been taking painkillers, such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen frequently for three months or longer.

Around 2% of adults get headaches from overusing painkillers and it is five times more common in women than men. People who suffer from migraine or tension headache, or those who are treating pain symptoms regularly, are most likely to be affected.

So, if you are taking painkillers frequently, and getting headaches on 15 or more days a month, speak to your pharmacist or GP. You will probably be advised to stop taking the over-used medicine. Unfortunately, your headache symptoms are likely to get worse before they improve, as it can take between two to ten days for the medicines to completely clear your system.

After that, if medication overuse was the only cause of your headache, you should be in the clear!