The Connection Between Chronic Migraines and Diet

Chronic migraine headaches pose major problems. Your headaches may leave you in pain for hours or even days, dealing with heightened sensory sensitivity, nausea, and other uncomfortable and disruptive symptoms as well.

It can be difficult to determine why you’re suffering from repeat migraine headaches. Dietary triggers or nutrient deficiencies may be a big part of the problem. Understanding the relationship between your diet and headaches can help you improve your condition.

At Iconic Infusions, PLLC, Dr. Bryant S. Edwards offers highly effective nutritional intravenous (IV) therapy and IV vitamin therapy. With Dr. Edwards’ support, you can learn more about the connection between your diet and your migraine headaches, taking control to reduce headache days each month. Here’s what you need to know.

Dietary migraine triggers

Some foods make it more likely that people prone to migraine will end up with a headache. Your diet-related migraine triggers may be fairly unique. However, common dietary migraine triggers include:

Caffeine (although used in moderation and sparingly, caffeine can also treat migraines)
Alcohol, especially red wine and beer
Chocolate
Aged cheeses, cured meats, and smoked fish
Food preservatives containing nitrates and nitrites
Some artificial sweeteners and flavoring agents, including monosodium glutamate (MSG)

Keeping a headache diary can help you learn which dietary triggers you should try to avoid.

Migraines and dietary supplementation

People who suffer from chronic migraines can also be triggered by low blood glucose levels or insufficient levels of key dietary nutrients and vitamins. Managing migraines means more than just avoiding dietary triggers. You also have to ensure that your body and brain are getting all the nutrients needed for pain-free function.

Skipping meals can absolutely cause headaches! Aim to eat small, regular meals and pay attention to your stress levels and sleep cycle to avoid triggering migraines.

Some dietary and nutritional supplements may also help with your migraine intensity and frequency. For example, riboflavin (vitamin B2) shows promise as a preventive treatment for migraine in adults. The antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may also help prevent migraines.

Studies show that if you don’t have enough magnesium present in your brain, you may experience migraine aura. Magnesium supplementation may be beneficial if your migraine comes with aura or is related to your menstrual cycle.

Intravenous nutritional and vitamin therapy

Taking oral dietary supplements takes time for your body to digest and absorb supplementary nutrients, and some nutrients get lost in the digestive process. IV vitamins or nutritional therapy take effect more rapidly, with less nutrient loss through administration.

For chronic migraine patients, talk to Dr. Bryant about an IV supplementation plan that will help ease your headaches. Dr. Bryant reviews your symptoms and medical history and ensures that you fully understand the potential benefits and risks of your treatment plan. Your IV treatment takes place in our supervised medspa environment.

To learn more about how nutritional or vitamin supplementation and avoiding dietary triggers could help you avoid headaches, contact Dr. Bryant at Iconic Infusions, PLLC, today. Call now to schedule your initial consultation appointment, or book with our easy-to-use online tool.