Migraine theories

Migraine headaches are complicated. There is no one single cause of migraines. We have different theories of factors that contribute to migraines. The following is a summary of a few theories because it may help to understand a holistic treatment approach.

Vasomotor activity

Migraines are associated with an inflammatory response in the nervous system. This leads to fluctuations in blood
flow. It is not a simply
matter of too much, or too little blood flow. Some blood vessels seem to be dilated while others are constricted.

About 20% of people with migraines experience auras. These are associated with decreased blood flow to
the brain. This is followed by a period of increased blood after the aura.

People with migraines seem to be more sensitive to chemicals that effect blood flow. This includes:
neurotransmitters such as serotonin, histamine, compounds in foods, or environmental toxins.

Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter most known for it‘s role in mood. Another function it
has is with blood platelets and coagulation.

Migraines cause an increase in the amount of 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in urine. This marker is
a breakdown product of serotonin. Therefore, for a long time migraines where thought to be caused by too much serotonin.

Current understanding is that even though there is increased breakdown of serotonin during a migraine, overall, people with migraines have lower tissue levels of serotonin. For
this reason the popular supplement 5-HTP helps some people with migraines. 5-HTP is an amino acid precursor to serotonin.

Migraine Triggers

Migraines start with triggers. These triggers may cause fluctuations in blood flow to the head, serotonin and platelet
activity, and inflammation.

List of migraine triggers:

• Low serotonin
• Food allergies
• Histamine
• Alcohol and red wine
• Nitrates
• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• Nitroglycerine
• Caffeine withdrawal
• Stress
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Too little or too much sleep
• Exhaustion
• Poor posture and muscle tension
• Changes in weather
• Eye strain

Naturopathic, versus conventional treatment of migraines

Medications for migraine headaches can help symptoms. However, they don’t address the triggers of migraines.
Rather, medications alter the body’s response to triggers so migraines are less likely.

Naturopathy is based upon individual treatment. There is no standardized migraine treatment.
The goal is individual assessment and to work on the triggers causing migraines in each person.

Food allergies

Uncovering food allergies is an important part of preventing migraines. There are several ways to figure out allergies.
Some methods include: allergy elimination diet, kinesiology testing, IgG and IgA food allergy tests.

Go to this page for more information on testing for food allergies

Food intolerance

An allergy means that there is an immune system response. An adverse response to a food that is not due to the
immune system is called an intolerance.
Food allergy tests by definition look for immune system markers. They can not be used to uncover food intolerance.

Foods which contain the compounds histamine or tyamine can trigger migraines in some people. Common
trigger foods include chocolate, cheese, pickled and fermented foods, beer and wine.

Diamine oxidase is an enzyme in the digestive tract that breaks down histamine. People sensitive
to histamine commonly have lower levels of diamine oxidase.
Chemicals such as food colorings, alcohol and several medications inhibit diamine oxidase.

Supplements may be used to control histamine and help symptoms. Vitamin B6 is thought to help migraine symptoms
by increasing the activity of diamine oxidase. Diamine
oxidase also goes up significantly in pregnancy. This is why women may experience a remission of migraines during pregnancy.

Blood sugar

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) may trigger migraines. This can be addressed naturally by modifying the diet,
and perhaps specific supplements for the adrenals and blood sugar regulation.

H. pylori

Commonly H. pylori is associated with stomach ulcers. Research has also shows significant
improvement in migraines for people who have headaches and h. pylori.

Why see a naturopathic doctor to help you with migraine headaches?

Migraines can be persistent and significantly decrease quality of life. They are
complex and have multiple triggers. These triggers are not all the same in everyone with migraines.

You can always search the Internet for general health tips. Sometimes this helps. Other times people may end up
with a large collection
of supplements that don’t work well, or frustrated after making dietary changes that symptoms are not much better.

A naturopathic doctor can help figure out what you need as an individual. Treatment considerations include, but
are not limited to:

• • Testing for food allergies
  • Removing intolerant foods
  • Adrenal function
  • Blood sugar regulation
  • Digestive system health. This includes possible pathogens and “leaky gut”
  • Lowering inflammation
  • Detoxification
  • Supplementing with specific nutrients.