Is It True That Migraine Can Relapse After Consumption Of Carbohydrates And Sugar?

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JAKARTA - Some people complain of headaches after eating certain foods, especially those high in sugar or refined carbohydrates, such as a piece of chocolate cake or a bowl of pasta, and that is in line with a 2018 study that concluded that nearly 30 percent of patients reported eating certain foods triggering headaches.

However, the new study, according to professor of neurology at King's College London and the University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Peter Goadsby, points out that it's most likely not food that causes migraines, but migraines that cause people to eat certain foods.

He, as quoted by ANTARA from Channel News Asia, Saturday, May 28, explained, during the initial stage of a migraine attack or the so-called prodromal phase which can begin a few hours to a few days before the headache phase strikes, people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, changes in mood. mood, light sensitivity, muscle stiffness, yawning and increased urination.

During this time, he adds, brain imaging studies have shown the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that regulates hunger, is activated, causing people to want and eat certain foods.

"It's pretty clear this area changes activity before the pain starts. Some people crave savory or salty snacks, while others crave sweets and chocolates," says Dr. Goadsby.

Then, once they've indulged their cravings and the migraine headache phase begins, it's natural for people to wonder if something they've eaten is contributing to the pain, says Neurologist and Headache Treatment Specialist at Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz., Dr. Rashmi Halker Singh.

Chocolate is said to be one of the most widely reported migraine trigger foods, but in a 2020 review of research in the journal Nutrients, researchers concluded there was not enough evidence to suggest that chocolate causes migraines.

If you have frequent food cravings before a migraine, it's a good idea to pay attention to them, along with other prodromal phase symptoms, so you can prepare for what's to come. You might use that time to find a migraine remedy and choose an earlier bedtime.

Margaret Slavin, professor of nutrition and food studies at George Mason University, said foods high in sugar or refined carbohydrates can also cause blood sugar to spike, leading to an overly large insulin response. Insulin helps normalize blood sugar, but too much insulin can cause low blood sugar. This condition is called hypoglycemia and symptoms include headaches, tremors, fatigue, and dizziness.

For people with migraines, it may be worth trying to cut back on added sugars and replace them in favor of anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, whole grains and fish.

However, because research on the relationship between diet and headaches is limited, Dr. Slavin noted that there is not enough evidence to recommend a specific diet to prevent migraines. Skipping meals is also frequently reported as a migraine trigger, so Dr. Halker Singh advises his patients to eat a nutritious diet on a regular basis, in addition to getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress.