by admin | Jan 6, 2014 | Triggers
Cocoa and Blood Pressure?
Ten blood pressure studies were compared; five of tea intake and five of cocoa intake. In the cocoa studies, 64% of the subjects were men and 36% women; 34% of all subjects had high blood pressure. In the tea studies, 71% were men, 29% were women, and 49% had high blood pressure. (Four studies used black tea, and one used green tea.) None of the tea studies reported any significant alterations in blood pressure. In the cocoa studies, four of five reported a reduction of both systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure after cocoa consumption. The study reporting no change utilized the lowest dose of cocoa. Blood pressure was most likely to be reduced in young individuals with mild essential hypertension.
The authors concluded that “the magnitude of the hypotensive effects of cocoa is clinically noteworthy; it is in the range that is usually achieved with monotherapy of beta-blockers or angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors.” They also emphasized the importance of dark chocolate, noting that milk products inhibit the absorption of the polyphenols.
Cocoa for Migraine
A study presented at the 2009 International Headache Congress provided evidence that a cocoa-enriched diet (in rats) suppressed proteins associated with inflammation in the trigeminal ganglia. This suggested that a cocoa-enriched diet in migraine sufferers might help to suppress migraine headaches. Obviously, more research will be necessary.
Volunteers? I know it’s time for my next dose of chocolate.
by admin | Jun 30, 2012 | Triggers
Migraine sufferers have always reported that the weather affects their headaches. Even the Greeks talked about “hot winds and cold winds”. Exactly how the weather affected headaches was not clear until formally studied. Canadian researchers looked at the effects of the chinook winds on migraines, and found a correlation. They reported that the most favorable “headache weather” was warm, dry, and with higher barometric pressure. You know, like a nice summer day.
Since then, several other studies have looked at weather and migraine but the results have been a little bit confusing. This may be partly because the early studies were small, and did not have very many people in them. It may also be partly because not all migraine sufferers are alike. And another study concludes that formal weather modelling may yield better information than patients’ observations.
A 2004 study conducted at the New England Center for Headache followed 77 migraine patients who kept headache diaries for 2 to 24 months. The headache diary data were compared to National Weather Service data. The most interesting thing about this study was that although 63% of migraine sufferers thought they were affected by the weather, only 51% of them were actually affected by the weather factors they thought influenced their migraines.
The weather factors most likely to influence migraines were temperature and humidity, high or low. The second most likely factor was any significant change in the weather, which affected 14% of migraine sufferers, and barometric pressure changes, again high or low, which affected 13%. Interestingly, 39% were sensitive to one weather factor, and 12% to two. So, in this study, no single weather change affected everyone the same way.
A 2009 study of weather conditions preceding emergency department visits for migraine found that the biggest trigger was higher ambient temperature, but that low barometric pressure was also a trigger. This was a large study, with over 7000 patients seen over a 7-year span.
Additional studies confirm the connection between both hot weather and drops in barometric pressure as triggers.
There isn’t much you can do to avoid the weather, but as our understanding of the biological effects of climate changes grows, you can at least predict these triggers a little better.
References:
1. Vaitl D, Propson N, Stark R, Walter B, Schienle A. Headache and Sferics. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2001;41(9):845-853.
2. Yang AC, Fuh J-L, Huang NE, et al. Temporal Associations between Weather and Headache: Analysis by Empirical Mode Decomposition Baylis M, ed. PLoS ONE. 2011;6(1):e14612.
3. Prince PB, Rapoport AM, Sheftell FD, Tepper SJ, Bigal ME. The Effect of Weather on Headache. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. 2004;44(6):596-602.
4. Mukamal KJ, Wellenius GA, Suh HH, Mittleman MA. Weather and air pollution as triggers of severe headaches. Neurology. 2009;72(10):922 -927.
5. Hoffmann J, Lo H, Neeb L, Martus P, Reuter U. Weather sensitivity in migraineurs. J Neurol. 2011;258(4):596-602.
by Christina Peterson, M.D.
updated June 30, 2012
by admin | Jan 14, 2012 | Triggers
Can Licorice Cause a Headache?
Apparently, it can, although that headache may not necessarily be a garden variety migraine.
Some licorice, especially many varieties manufactured in the US, is flavored primarily with anise seed, and carries little risk to your blood pressure. But true licorice comes from the root of the herb Glycyrrhyza gabra, and contains glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin has many effects on the neuro-endocrine system, and increases blood pressure. Authentic licorice made with licorice root should be eaten in moderation to avoid elevations in blood pressure and other health issues.
There was a report made recently of a single case of licorice-associated thunderclap headache due to reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome with PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome). What does all that mean?
Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a cause of thunderclap headache–a type of suddenly occurring severe headache–that headache experts are working to understand better. It likely has multiple causes, and most likely affects susceptible individuals. We need to better understand what causes someone to be susceptible to suddenly and unpredictably having segments of their brain blood vessels constrict and then dilate.
PRES is a condition in which the posterior (back part) of the brain is affected by swelling, and the affected person suffers from headache, seizures, visual problems, and alterations in mental status. In this particular case, these two conditions were brought on by eating one pound of licorice a day over a four-month period. Thankfully, it was all reversible.
Should you avoid licorice? Probably not, but I wouldn’t advise eating a pound a day, especially if you have migraines, and definitely not if you have high blood pressure. Moderation is still a good thing.
by admin | Jun 29, 2011 | Triggers
How to Minimize Migraine Triggers During Travel
Traveling this year? There are a lot of hidden pitfalls for migraine sufferers who travel. If you are traveling by air you are subject to multiple migraine triggers: pressure changes, dehydration, time zone changes, and skipping meals. Be certain to carry high protein snacks with you and drink water frequently. It’s also a good idea to pack your migraine medication in your carry-on luggage just in case you need it.
Make sure you have enough medication with you for the duration of your vacation. If you think this may be a problem because your insurance limits the number of pills you can get at one time, you may be able to ask for a “vacation override” at the pharmacy so that you can be certain to have enough to last. A good rule is to take twice as much migraine medication as you would normally need, and then you will be sure to have enough, even under the worst possible circumstances.
If your headaches are severe enough that you think you may require treatment while traveling, make certain you have a summary of your care with you. This allows a doctor who is unfamiliar with you to review your history. And don’t forget your health insurance card.
Of course, changes in environment can set off your headaches also. Traveling to a new location with a different climate can be a migraine trigger, especially if there is heat and humidity. Many migraine sufferers find that high altitude can trigger their headaches.
Eating different foods and a different schedule can even be enough to cause migraines in some people. It may be wise to plan on taking it easy the first day or two in order to get used to a new environment and not push yourself too hard. It’s better to do this so that you can avoid a headache and relax on vacation.
Watch out for trigger foods—watch for things like hot dogs, sausages, and other processed meats (pepperoni, salami, and similar) which contain nitrites. And need I mention alcohol? Just remember to keep things in moderation, and don’t forget what your trigger foods are.
Children with migraine can be particularly susceptible to motion sickness and carsickness. If you have a child with migraine headaches, it might be best to make frequent stops and take breaks on road trips. In fact, up to 60% of adults who have migraine had motion sickness as children. Sometimes, it doesn’t go away because you grew up.
Foreign travel can present extra challenges. Give yourself an extra day or two to cope with jet lag. Make certain medication is in its original labeled container when you clear customs, and carry a note from your doctor indicating which medications you are on, and that they are for personal use. Check to see if your medical insurance covers you internationally—some do. If not, you may wish to purchase travel insurance. The State Department has additional information about traveling abroad.
by Christina Peterson, M.D.
updated June 29, 2011
by admin | May 27, 2011 | Triggers
Stress and Emotional Triggers of Headache
Stress and emotional triggers are common migraine triggers. Stress comes in many varieties, including time stress, emotional stress, and the stress of physical fatigue. Emotions pack a wallop for the migraine sufferer. Anger, depression, anxiety, and crying can trigger a migraine attack. Crying, in fact, can make a migraine quite a bit worse than it already was.
For many migraine sufferers, an attack can occur when the stress is over. This is known as a “let-down” headache. Let-down headaches can have a delayed onset, occurring a day or more after the stress has happened in your life.
Relaxation training, meditation, and counseling can help if stress and emotional triggers are a significant element in causing your headaches.
by Christina Peterson, MD
updated May 27, 2011
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