Chronic Headaches and Migraines
I remember as a child my Stepmother being plagued with headaches. Back in those days in South Africa where I grew up, was a powder that came in paper wraps called Grand-pa. I remember even as a young child thinking surely there is a reason for getting the headaches in the first place, and constantly having another Grand-pa cant be the solution, or good for anyone. And I was right. Pain meds may give some temporary relief, but what really needs to be done is getting to the bottom of why a person is suffering from chronic headaches and migraines.
Migraines, and chronic headaches are a complex, multi-factorial condition with multiple root causes. Here are some of the common root causes of migraines and chronic headaches.
Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the body, often caused by poor diet, stress, infections, and environmental toxins, can trigger migraines. This can often be determined by routine blood tests, and often after a full work up of your health history, current diet and lifestyle and symptoms I can guide you on further testing if I feel inflammation is the root cause.
Gut Health
Imbalances in the gut microbiome and digestive dysfunction can lead to migraines. If you have any bloating, pain, loose stools, constipation (going less than once per day), belching, foul smelling wind, you may wish to consider a comprehensive stool analysis. You can see that and other testing I offer here
Hormonal Imbalances
Changes in hormone levels, such as oestrogen and progesterone, can trigger migraines/headaches in some individuals. If your migraines are worse round your menstrual cycles or, you’re in your 40s and entering perimenopause this might be a sign its hormone related. I often recommend the DUTCH test for this. You can see this and other testing I offer here
Food Sensitivities
Certain foods, such as dairy, gluten, and processed foods, can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals. Its common for women over 40 as they go through perimenopause to develop new food sensitivities, due to the impact of oestrogen changes on gut health and the microbiome. I suggest either KMBO food intolerance testing (you can see this and other testing I offer here) or a guided elimination diet.
Blood Sugar Imbalances
High or low blood sugar can cause can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, confusion, and fatigue.
Managing blood sugar levels through a balanced diet and lifestyle modifications is crucial for overall health and may help alleviate headaches. Here are some strategies:
Eat Regular, Balanced Meals: Focus on consuming balanced meals that include a combination of complex carbohydrates, protein (1.6g per kilo body weight), and healthy fats. This can help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Limit Sugary Foods and Processed Carbohydrates: Reduce the intake of sugary foods, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods, as they can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Include Fibre-Rich Foods: Fibre-rich foods by consuming a variety of plant foods, as this can help slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, promoting stable blood sugar levels.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water throughout the day can help maintain hydration and support balanced blood sugar levels.
Engage in Regular Physical Activity: Regular exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, which helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Environmental Toxins
Exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides, heavy metals, and mould, breast implants, can trigger migraines. A full work up of your health history, current diet and lifestyle and symptoms I can guide you on further testing if I feel toxins are the root cause.
Stress
Emotional and physical stress can trigger migraines in some individuals. Consider if you life has become more stressful recently. You may find these two articles useful:
https://www.empoweredwellness.co.uk/health-journal/stress-sucks
https://www.empoweredwellness.co.uk/health-journal/tapping-into-the-power-of-the-vagus-nerve
Nutrient Deficiencies
Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as magnesium, vitamin B12, or CoQ10, can impact neurological health and contribute to headaches. Identifying and addressing any nutrient imbalances or deficiencies can be important in managing symptoms. I recommend testing for these before supplementing, which I can help you with.
Genetic Predisposition
Genes can play a significant role in making people more sensitive to triggers that can cause an attack. Some factors like stress, high blood pressure, exercise intolerance, blood sugar fluctuations, hormonal contraception, hydration, altitude, and certain foods can also contribute to migraines.
Certain genes, like the 'MT' genes, are responsible for detoxifying biogenic amines, including histamine and dopamine. The TRPV1 gene influences pain perception and sensitivity to spicy food, among other things.
Nutrigenomic testing that we offer can provide insights into various genetic factors related to blood pressure, inflammation, methylation, blood sugar regulation, and histamine degradation, which can be helpful in understanding and managing migraines.
So as you can see, resolution of chronic migraine and headaches focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of migraines to help prevent future episodes and improve overall health and well-being.
If you suffer from chronic headaches or Migraines and want to explore how we can help, get in touch.
