Next time you feel a migraine coming, consider grabbing a Coke and a side of French fries. Why? Let's break this down, starting with fries.
Salt is also addictive. Excess salt activates brain areas involved in reward, making a person want to seek more salty foods because they feel better when eating them. Dr. Al-Dahhak says that there is some research suggesting that if a person has a history of eating highly processed foods with lots of sodium and suddenly limits their salt intake, it could trigger a migraine attack. "A headache is one sign of salt withdrawal," she says.
The prodrome phase is the first stage of a migraine, occurring a few hours to days before the actual headache. Changes in food cravings are one of the more subtle symptoms that suggest the migraine attack has already begun.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, treating pre-headache symptoms, like changes in food cravings, may reduce the severity of an incoming migraine or stop it altogether.
About that caffeinated soda...
The migraine-relieving powers of Coke are likely because of the soda's high caffeine content. "The relationship between migraines and caffeine is more solid," explains Dr. Al-Dahhak. "People who consume one or less cups of caffeinated drinks a day have fewer headaches."
This is the reason why caffeine is an active ingredient in some pain relievers or added for extra strength. "Caffeine, when added to aspirin or ibuprofen, helps manage the headache more than aspirin or ibuprofen alone," says Dr. Al-Dahhak.
Another reason people might find relief in drinking soda is because of caffeine withdrawal. Research shows that not getting your usual caffeine fix can abruptly trigger migraines. To avoid migraine-related withdrawal effects, the American Migraine Foundation recommends regular users get at least 25 milligrams of caffeine a day.
The Dark Side of Salt and Caffeine
It's important to remember that the relief you might get from salt and caffeine comes with strings attached. Dr. Bilchik and Dr. Al-Dahhak warn that consuming too much salt and caffeine may actually trigger a migraine. Additionally, having excess salt in your diet can raise your high blood pressure, another trigger of migraine. Caffeine doesn't always work for everyone as well, possibly worsening migraines.
Up Next:
Related: 'I've Lived With Migraines My Entire Life—Here's What Finally Helped'
Sources
Dr. Tanya Bilchik, MD,is a neurologist and headache specialist at Yale School of Medicine.Dr. Roula Al-Dahhak, MD, is a neurologist.Limbic control over the homeostatic need for sodium. Scientific Reports.Sodium Chloride, Migraine and Salt Withdrawal: Controversy and Insights. Medical Sciences.The Science Behind Migraine Triggers: Are Migraine Triggers Real or Part of the Prodrome Phase? American Migraine Foundation.Migraine Prodrome: Symptoms and Prevention. American Migraine Foundation.Sudden Caffeine Withdrawal Triggers Migraine—A Randomized Controlled Trial. Frontiers in Neurology.How much caffeine is in a Coca‑Cola? Coca-Cola Company.Caffeine and Migraines. American Migraine Foundation. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Could This Common McDonald's Order Be the Secret To Getting Rid of Migraines? )
Also on site :