MIGRAINE PAIN
For those who suffer from Migraine pain will know there is not much they are not willing to try to bring some relief to this sometimes debilitating condition. Believe it or not Researchers haven’t identified a definitive cause for migraines, only potential factors that can trigger it.
Some of the known triggers may include:
- bright lights
- severe heat or other extremes in weather (not good for us Texans!)
- changes in barometric pressure
- hormonal changes, such as estrogen fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause for women
- drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks
- foods such as aged cheese, salty, or processed foods
- consuming food additives, such as aspartame (an artificial sugar) or monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- eating foods that have the additive tyramine, which is found in soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, smoked fish, aged cheeses, and Chianti wine
- excess stress
- loud sounds
- physical activity
- skipping meals
- loss of sleep
- taking certain medicines, such as oral contraceptives or nitroglycerin
THE RISKS
One of the biggest risks in having migraines are not migraines themselves, but the over reliance of prescription drugs that are prescribed. These drugs boost the amount of serotonin in the brain to reduce the migraine pain. Too much serotonin can lead to hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, agitation, diarrhea, and a rapid heart rate. In some instances, this condition can be life-threatening.
