A migraine accompanied by vertigo may have something to do with eating. There appear to be foods to avoid and foods that could be beneficial.
A migraine’s pulsating, throbbing headache is bad enough, but at least 30 percent of sufferers also experience nausea-inducing dizziness and balance issues. The medical community refers to vestibular migraines.
Few medical or organic migraine causes are known. The scientific community suspects a genetic component because migraine sufferers’ offspring are roughly four times more likely to develop migraines themselves. We have a better understanding of the possible migraine triggers, and diet may also play a role.
Vestibular migraines can have many causes.
Some potential triggers for vestibular migraines are known, but the reasons why these factors trigger the attacks, which can last anywhere from five minutes to seventy-two hours, are still the subject of research. Stress and anxiety can be triggers, as can difficulty sleeping. Others are affected by environmental stimuli such as flickering lights, certain sounds, or odors. Hormonal changes can also be the cause of migraines, which primarily affect women during menstruation or menopause.
However, certain foods also appear to trigger migraines. Typically, several of these factors will converge and interact in an ominous manner. However, avoiding certain foods appears to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in some migraine sufferers.
Some foods can trigger migraines
Caffeinated liquids, such as coffee or green tea, and alcoholic beverages, particularly sparkling wine and wine, appear to be among the most potent triggers. Studies indicate that certain foods can also trigger migraine attacks. These include dried fruit, long-lasting meats like salami and ham, cheese, and chocolate.
These foods share a characteristic: they are rich in histamines and tyramines. It is unclear why these proteins, which also serve as messenger substances, serve as a trigger in some cases, but this appears to be the case. Furthermore, it is known that alcohol and caffeine enhance the effect of these proteins.
So a cheese board with a glass of red wine might be a bad choice for a migraine sufferer—although there are sufferers who don’t seem to have a problem with either alcohol or the foods listed.
Omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium can help
Foods rich in magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids are thought to have a positive effect on migraines. Experts in Germany say that these foods can help reduce the number of seizures and ease their symptoms.
High-fat fish such as salmon are the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, but flaxseed, walnuts, soy, and rapeseed oil also contain significant amounts. Magnesium is an important part of how nerve cells send messages to each other, and a lack of magnesium seems to make people more likely to get migraines.
Another migraine trigger appears to be low blood sugar, which can occur if you skip a meal in between. Those affected should not only pay attention to what they eat, but also that they eat enough of it regularly.
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