Headaches and Migraines

DATA FOR YOUR ARTICLE

Migraine occurs in about 10% of the population in the United States and the United Kingdom. Wilkinson M

A study of 8167 adult twin pairs found a genetic predisposition to migraine headaches and found the genetic component to vary between 34% to 51% in different migraine types, with no remarkable differences between the sexes. Honkasalo ML et al

A study was made of 43 patients aged from 7 to 18 years of age, suffering from Migraine headache without Aura according to the classification of the International Headache Society. By limiting certain foods in the non-control group, half of these patients obtained complete remission of headaches, and with the other half, almost all had a significant improvement after the dietetic treatment. Guariso G et al

     The frequency of migraine has been studied in 300 adult patients with suspected adverse reaction to food. Migraine headache was present in 13.6%. Of those patients suffering from headache, treated with an elimination diet, two thirds obtained significant improvement of migraine. Pacor ML et al

     Migraine is a self-limited neurogenic, sterile inflammation characterised by initial cerebral vasoconstriction, subsequent extracranial and intracranial vasodilation, sterile inflammation, and secondary muscle contraction. It is characterized by recurrent attacks of headache, usually unilateral and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and, often, other symptoms. Frequency, duration, and intensity of attacks are widely variable. Precipitating factors include foods, alcohol, medications, visual stimuli, changes in routine, and stress. Diamond S

     Food and chemicals in foods can act as a precipitating factor in the food-sensitive neurogenic vascular headache patient. The treatment modalities of elimination and rotation diets or provocation neutralisation may successfully control the headaches without the need for continuous medications . Trotsky MB

TO PRINT this page, FIRST click anywhere on this paragraph you are now reading and THEN just press the print button on you browser.

Courtesy of The Allergy Centre 03 9874 4144

References

Honkasalo ML, Kaprio J, Winter T, Heikkila K, Sillanpaa M, Koskenvuo M, Migraine and concomitant symptoms among 8167 adult twin pairs. Headache. 35(2):70-8, 1995 Feb.

Wilkinson M,. Migrain Treatment, the British perspective [Review]. Headache 34(8):S13-6, 1994 Sep.

Trotsky M.B., Neurogenic vascular headaches, food and chemical triggers. Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal. 73(4):228-30, 235-6, 1994 Apr

Guariso G, Bertoli S, Cernetti R, Battistella PA, Setari M, Zacchello F, Migraine and food intolerance: a controlled study in pediatric patients. Pediatria Medica e Chirurgica 15(1):57-61, 1993 Jan-Feb. Italy

Diamond S, Strategies for migraine management [Review]. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 58(3):257-61, 1991 May-Jun

Pacor ML, Nicholis F, Cortina P, Peroli P, Venturini G, Andri L, Corrocher R, Lunardi C, Migraine and food. Recenti Progressi in Medicina. 80(2):53-5, 1989 Feb. Italy.