Knock festive migraines on the head
Keep a cool head: Avoiding certain food and drink could help migraine patients enjoy a happier Christmas
Monday December 17 2007
The best way to manage migraine head-aches is to avoid them -- but that is not always easily done around Christmas time.
Around 20pc of migraine attacks are triggered by food, so if you cannot cut them out entirely, try to limit some festive luxuries so that you won't miss out on the rest of the fun.
The Migraine Association of Ireland has listed some of these red-light foods:
- chocolate
- red wine
- caffeine
- citrus fruits
- cheese
- nuts
- processed meats
Not eating enough also acts as a trigger, and it is a good idea to bear this in mind if you are saving your appetite before a visit to someone's home.
Delayed or missed meals often result in a slight fall in blood sugar levels, triggering migraine.
This is mostly the reason for attacks in children. Many come home from school with a bad headache because they have not eaten regularly enough to keep their blood sugar levels stable.
Also, sleeping too much or too little can lead to an attack, so avoid an over-indulgent lie-in.
Taking anti-migraine medication when the early symptoms emerge can prevent the the bout from being prolonged or severe.
Only take the minimum amount of medication needed and do not take it too often, because too much can actually bring on an attack.
You should aim to have at least four days a week when you do not take any anti-migraine medication.
When it comes to complementary therapies, some people may find that relaxation techniques and herbal medicine, such as Feverfew, may help.
Acupuncture is thought to be useful in preventing migraines and headaches.
