Migraine Causes and Cures
Migraines are a bummer, to say the least. They affect millions of people and are responsible for billions of dollars in healthcare costs. Conventional treatment for frequent migraines typically includes trying out a prescription or two and, for women, may include birth control for hormone regulation. However, a more effective strategy would be to look into what’s actually causing the migraines.
This is where Functional Medicine comes in. Functional Medicine is addressing the underlying cause, not only the symptom(s). The root cause of your migraine may be triggered by a number of factors, and the underlying cause can differ from one individual to the next. Today we’re talking about some of the causes of migraines and how to generally address them. For further insight and subsequent treatment, recommended testing is provided.
Food Sensitivities & Gut Imbalances
Sensitivities to foods like gluten, peanuts, dairy or eggs are common in migraine sufferers. Research also shows sufferers have higher levels of bacteria involved in processing nitrates, and could explain why some foods appear to be migraine triggers for certain individuals.
Management:
Try an elimination diet. Avoid the most common food allergens, such as dairy, gluten, and eggs. Take steps to take care of your gut, which will help keep your microbiome in check.
Testing:
Check an IgG food allergy panel and a celiac panel since wheat and gluten are among the biggest causes of headaches and migraines. We use Cyrex Labs Array 3 & 10.
Stool testing and urine testing for yeast or bacterial imbalances that come from the gut can also be helpful. We utilize GI MAP by Diagnostic Solutions and Organix by Genova Diagnostics.
Chemical Triggers
A processed-food diet including aspartame, MSG (monosodium glutamate), nitrates (in deli meats), sulfites (found in wine, dried fruit, and food from salad bars) is to blame. Tyramine-containing foods like chocolate and cheese can also be triggers. Triggers are not all foods and drinks; they can be common household chemicals and perfumes. Some even report EMF as a trigger.
Management:
Avoid additives, sweeteners, sulfites, and processed food. Eat a diet rich in whole foods and phytonutrients.
Avoid or limit exposure to harsh household chemicals.
Check the ingredients in your personal care products and cosmetics and opt for better brands.
Hormonal Imbalances
Premenstrual migraines are often caused by imbalances in estrogen and progesterone (too much estrogen, too little progesterone). This can be caused by consuming too much alcohol, sugar, flour, and starches, not getting enough exercise or sleep, and high stress, among other things. Use of an oral contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy, or being pre-menopausal can also result in hormonal imbalances contributing to migraines.
Management:
Eat a whole-foods, low-glycemic load, high-phytonutrient diet with flax, soy, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and refined carbohydrates.
Exercise and utilize stress reduction techniques.
Testing:
Hormonal testing looking for menopausal changes or too much estrogen. We typically use DUTCH by Precision Analytical to evaluate hormone levels.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondria are responsible for energy production. Dysfunction presents as fatigue, muscle aching, and brain fog, yet sometimes the only symptom can be migraines. Migraine sufferers tend to exhibit deficiencies in B vitamins, such as riboflavin (B2), folate (B9), and cobalamin (B12), which are major factors in mitochondrial function and energy production.
Management:
Addressing mitochondrial dysfunction by making sure you’re getting enough B vitamins or taking a high quality supplement touting mitochondrial support and containing CoQ10.
Testing:
Checking urinary organic acids can be helpful to assess the function of the mitochondria and energy production, as well as providing insight into B vitamin status and levels of oxidative stress. We use Organix by Genova Diagnostics.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium is the relaxation mineral and deficiencies can often lead to headaches and migraines. Other symptoms of magnesium deficiency include constipation, anxiety, insomnia, irritability, sensitivity to loud noises, muscle cramps or twitching, and palpitations.
General Management:
Magnesium glycinate or citrate in doses that relieve symptoms or until you get loose bowels. If you have kidney disease of any kind, do this only with a doctor’s supervision.
Testing:
Check red blood cell magnesium levels. However, this can be normal in the presence of total body deficiency, so utilizing magnesium based on symptoms is preferred.