Migraine May Be Set Off By Anything In The Food You Eat - Learn About An Unusual Dietary Trigger
It could sound an over-simplification but before you can find a remedy for migraine you need to become a detective and track down what is at the root of it. Do you know what your migraine trigger is? Read on to learn about an unusual one.
There are many possible causes of migraine, and sometimes they are dietary. But when asked which foods are most generally suspected of triggering migraines, most people will confidently suggest "red wine, chocolate and cheese".
They may be surprised to read that as long ago as 1979 in a study on migraine and food intolerances published in the prestigious Lancet, eggs were among the most common foods cited as problematic.
In reality, eggs are one of the most common allergens. They are also one of the most reliable to test for - unlike other foods.
However, egg is in several things, from baked goods to cake icing, and it is false that cooking renders it safe! Children with migraines are often allergic to eggs and at least two other trigger foods, and can gain relief just by cutting out these foods from their diet. However, since eggs are an important source of protein, they should not be left out from the diet unless you are sure they're causing you a problem. A food intolerance test or trial exclusion for three weeks should give you ample evidence to have a meaningful discussion with your qualified health professional as to whether exclusion will be beneficial.
One more unexpected place where egg is common is in vaccines. Measures have been taken to combat exposure to egg by deriving the vaccines from embryos, but fresh developments seem to show that even the slightest exposure to chicken produce of any variety can be hazardous.
For those who are highly sensitive even inhalation could be harmful. Workers in a confectionery factory breathing the powdered egg white found in the decorative icing suffered asthmatic attacks, so exposure to an egg allergen is possible even if you are not eating eggs!
Egg white can even be found in vaginal suppositories or in nappy rash cream, and if an allergic reaction as severe as asthma or anaphylactic shock can happen, why not a migraine?
The unfortunate thing about young children and food allergies is their inability to put across the point that something is wrong. Also, misdiagnosis is common, caused by the inability of parents or doctors to accurately record symptoms.
A child who has eaten ice cream and frequently suffered a migraine afterwards could be allergic to the milk or the eggs in the product, and a definite determination is necessary to define which it is.
Eggs are such a strong allergen that many doctors advocate not serving eggs to children under two, as once an allergen is triggered, the body can build up a memory of it and it may cause you more grief down the line.
There are several foods that if avoided or given very sparingly can prevent a red flag going up in a child's immune system. Eggs are a bit of a conundrum, what with the yolk and the white - recently, studies have shown that while the yolk of the egg is high in cholesterol, the white contains the means to combat it.
Normally, after 12 months with no adverse effects, you can try to reintroduce foods one at a time. If migraines return, you will know you uncovered a major trigger, and do your best to avoid it in the future.
Eggs are good for you - except when they're not!