Migraine: Understanding how diet can improve or worsen symptoms

Migraine: Understanding how diet can improve or worsen symptoms


Some foods cause blood vessels to dilate and cause headaches.

According to data from the World Health Organization, 15% of the world population suffers from migraines. Some causes of this disease are: lack of sleep, stress, temperature changes, eating habits, etc. There is still, in the case of women, that headache typical of the premenstrual period.





Migraine: Understanding how diet can improve or worsen symptoms

Nutritionist AndrĂ©ia Manetti Previero explains that migraine is a chronic disease with a genetic feature caused by hypersensitivity of the brain. “When a situation is interpreted as something stressful, the response generated by the brain is in the form of pain. This pain can be followed by nausea, vomiting, intolerance to light and noise. It is a transient but incurable disease,” he said. she. she explains her.

Types of headaches

Headaches, commonly called headaches, are divided into primary and secondary. Migraine is a primary type of headache, which does not have a disease trigger – as in the case of secondary headaches, where the cause is associated with some neurological lesions or systemic disorders.

Food can make the pain worse

In some cases, migraines can be stimulated by certain types of foods. “They exist Foods which can be migraine triggers, as they are vasodilators, meaning they will increase cerebral blood flow, hypersensitize the brain and cause pain, “says the nutritionist. and sausages.

foods for migraine

Also according to Andréia Manetti Previero, there are also foods that will improve and fight migraines, as they will prevent pro-inflammatory substances from causing blood vessels to dilate. The omega 3 present in salmon, sardines, herring, tuna and flax seeds, for example, has an anti-inflammatory action.

Also, there are rich foods in minerals that will contribute to the metabolic balance and the better functioning of blood circulation. Selenium, for example, is a mineral found in foods such as salmon, Brazil nuts, beef liver, and wheat bran.




Adequate water consumption can help fight migraines

importance of magnesium

There are also foods that stimulate the production of substances that cause well-being. An example is magnesium, found in black beans, spinach, cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, artichokes and semi-sweet chocolate.

The concentration of magnesium in the body affects serotonin receptors – a substance responsible for regulating pain perception and mood – as well as other migraine-related receptors and neurotransmitters. Magnesium also has a relaxing action, which can relieve headaches when the cause is stress, anxiety and PMS.

Adequate water consumption

Adequate water intake (6 to 8 200ml glasses per day) can help fight migraines, says nutritionist Andréia Manetti Previero, as it helps check the pressure blood, the blood circulates easily through the body, preventing the cases of vasoconstriction and vasodilation that can cause migraines.

Other causes of the problem

According to AndrĂ©ia Manetti Previero, there are migraine triggers that are not related to food, the most cited are the stress, prolonged fasting, sleep and fatigue. “Therefore, it is always recommended to practice physical activity or any activity that relieves stress, avoid long periods of fasting (always eat every 3 hours) and always sleep for at least 6 to 8 hours a day,” he says.

To treat migraines, when symptoms are persistent, the ideal is to consult a neurologist to inquire about the ideal treatment. But, in addition to the use of medications, certain daily attitudes and habits can help fight or minimize migraine symptoms.

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Source: Terra

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