The Role of Diet and Triggers in Migraine Treatment: What to Eat and Avoid

Often confused as severe headaches by the non-suffers, Migraines can be extremely painful and unbearable. People often look for ways of getting rid of this throbbing pain on one side of the head via several medications and prescriptions. However, the trick to dealing with this immensely agonising issue lies in your daily schedule and dietary plan. 

Migraine in Hindi is known as ‘आधासीसी’ and is quite prevalent in India, and all are looking for its cure. Sadly, nobody knows what the cause of this condition is and how it is treated. But, one can decrease its severity and frequency by catching the triggers. Diet decides how often you can get migraine triggers and how extremely it can affect your day-to-day life. Learn what changes you can make in your dietary regime to tackle migraine. Catch up on what food is best avoided.

Importance of Diet and Lifestyle

Food intake decides the functions of our body along with the air we breathe and the water we drink. Just like any other illness, how extreme the migraine episodes are going to be also depends on the consumption. Diet holds great importance in the management of how the brain and the body function. 

The food items that trigger migraine falter the neurotransmitter levels in the brain and cause inflammatory responses. Due to the overstimulation in the nerve endings, you feel a throbbing sensation. The intensity of the migraine can vary widely from one person to another and gender, too. However, food decides most of it. 

Food Items May Trigger Migraine

Yes. It is true. Some processed foods, low in minerals and whole grains and high in caffeine and artificial sweeteners, can cause inflammation in the brain. These can instantly trigger a migraine attack. The common examples include aged cheese, red wine, and processed meats. In all cases, avoid over-consumption of these food items. Every person is unique, and the intensity of episodes varies from person to person and from time to time. You may get migraine episodes because of some other items that you can discover by tracking your diet. Observe your patterns and understand what’s not good for you. 

Healthy Diet Reduces Migraine Frequency and Intensity 

Eating a balanced diet and staying adequately hydrated can reduce inflammation and minimise the chances of triggers. Avoid skipping meals at all costs, as it can cause fluctuations in the blood sugar levels, which in turn promote migraine. Some food items that positively impact conditions include nourishing plates of veggies combined with loads of whole grains and fruits. You can also eat eggs, watermelons, and chia seeds and try staying hydrated at all times.

Migraine Triggers

Many factors trigger migraine. The basic procedure of migraine triggers includes alteration in the brain activities, dilation in the blood vessels, or fluctuation in the neurotransmitter levels. Along with food and dietary changes, stress and loss of sleep can also severely impact the frequency of migraines. 

Common migraine triggers include:

• Certain food items (Mostly caffeine, alcohol, and processed food)
• Stress due to any reason may induce migraine headaches.
• If you experience intense physical activities that can lead to changes in blood pressure and dehydration, creating a pathway to pain receptors. 
• Dehydration: loss of water in your body can instantly boost triggers
• Changes in the sleep cycle can alter the release of melatonin and cortisol. Loss of hormones can cause pain sensitivity.
• Sensory stimuli: such as bright lights, noises, and strong smell
• New medications: if you are taking prescription medications for some other diseases it may affect your brain inflammation. 
• Women are more likely to suffer from migraine conditions due to hormonal changes in their bodies. 
• A sudden change in the atmosphere (temperature, pressure, or weather) may also cause triggers. 

Sudden stress and changes in sleeping patterns, along with an unhealthy diet, can become a nightmare for the sufferers. Therefore, it is important to stick to a nutritious diet and a robust lifestyle that empowers rather than degrading your condition. You may even sign up for the best health insurance plan for financial help with migraine therapies and sudden episodes where hospitalisation is needed. 

What to Eat and What not?

People dealing with the condition should know what’s beneficial in avoiding migraine episodes and what may trigger it. So, the next time you prepare your meals, make sure to check this list of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to ensure you not only satiate your hunger but also promote health. 

Summing Up!

Sadly, the condition is untreatable as the primary cause is also unknown. However, it is easily manageable with the right lifestyle changes. Now, some may suggest prescription medications and non-drug therapies, such as acupuncture, meditation and yoga. These are extremely effective with the right diet plan. You can check Niva Bupa to cover your migraine therapy costs. They have an extensive list of the best mediclaim insurance in India that stand out from the rest and help your medical finances.