Painful migraine headaches can have many triggers, among them environmental and food allergies. The precise mechanism for how allergens trigger migraines is still unknown, but these are the most common theories:
• Sinusitis. The most common cause of a migraine is allergic sinusitis. When an allergic person is exposed to an allergen, like dust, mold, pollen, animal hair, or skin, the sinuses become swollen. This swelling might cause migraines by triggering the nerves in the brain to react to the change in pressure. The nerves then send signals to the brain that trigger the various symptoms of migraine, like the headache, intolerance of light or sound, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
• Allergic rhinitis (seasonal and indoor nasal allergies). Studies have found that the odds of having migraine headaches are significantly higher in people with allergic rhinitis compared with those without allergies.
• Food allergies. It’s commonly thought that food allergies cause migraines. Certain foods such as chocolate and aged cheese can trigger migraines. The reaction is likely a drug-like property of the food rather than a true food allergy. However, there’s no clear-cut scientific evidence of a connection, and further research is needed.
• Histamine. Histamine, the chemical produced by the body in response to an allergic reaction, might play a key role in triggering migraines by means of swelling. Thus, it is helpful to properly test for various allergies to environmental allergens, foods, and medications in order to assess the extent of allergy in an individual patient.
Seasonal Allergens
People with allergies are approximately 14 times more likely to report migraine headaches compared to those without allergies. In fact, pollen is the most common seasonal allergy although weeds and grasses are also prevalent. These allergens contribute to hay fever, which can also include migraines as a symptom. Limit contact with season allergies by immediately removing any clothing worn outdoors as soon as you re-enter work or home. Windy days will make it more difficult to avoid contact with allergens. If you suffer from severe migraines due to allergies, wear a mask around your nose and mouth whenever you go outside.
Environmental Allergens
Environmental allergens are usually present year round. However, you should be able to better control your environment to avoid these triggers. For instance, pet dander, dust mites and strong smells are common migraine triggers. Cleaning products with high bleach content or strong perfumes are the most common forms of smells that produce an allergic reaction that instigate migraines.
Tags: allergies, blurred vision, dizziness, head pain, lightheadedness, migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting
Leave A Reply (No comments so far)
You must be logged in to post a comment.
No comments yet