The patient who suffers from chronic headaches, intermittent severe headaches or migraine are often debilitated and it interferes not only with work but pleasure, at times being  extreme. 

Again there are many factors that can induce this type of problem and it is essential that a proper clinical examination is conducted before deciding whether there might be allergic or intolerance factors that is contributing to the problem. There are a number of well known foods and food chemicals which will trigger migraine and these need to be identified and tested. In addition certain allergic patients will suffer from migraine but there are a host of other patients with quite different and diverse reasons for their problem. 

It is therefore most important that the problem is carefully defined, external factors identified and avoidance techniques used to assess improvement. A programme can then be put to the patient in order to minimise their symptoms. Again a combination of avoidance with or without a range of different drugs can bring this condition under control.

Our allergy clinics will advise on the most appropriate ways of treating Migraine.

Citrus/Cheese/Chocolate

The occurrence of headaches, migraine and associated problems is sometimes caused by food and its constituents, particularly in children and young adults. 

The 5 'Cs' are the commonest cause - cheese, chocolate, coffee, cola and citrus which if eliminated from the diet will cause almost instantaneous relief. Whether it is the chemicals in the food, caffeine in coffee and cola, tyramine and histamine in cheese, phenylethylamine in chocolate and chlorogenic acid in citrus or the foods themselves in their entirety is not fully known.

Other foods and food constituents can trigger the reaction and need careful assessment with the appropriate investigations.

Foods

A wide variety of foods can trigger symptoms in food intolerant patients as can certain chemicals and constituents. These can all be identified by careful dietary analysis, plus a number of blood tests will identify the offending agents.

Inhalants

The inhalants consist of pollens, dusts, danders and moulds. The prevalence of these will vary throughout the year, some reaching peaks, others fairly consistently produced in certain environments. Furthermore, they vary in size and this will determine whether they penetrate into the eyes producing conjunctivitis, and how far they can travel down the airway. High in the airway they produce rhinitis, sore throats and asthma.

Quantities vary, geographical areas are subject to variation and weather conditions will determine the mix of allergens.

Chemicals

In some quarters there is an almost evangelical campaign against any man made chemical which is in the environment or particularly associated with food whereas the truth is there are far more natural chemicals in food and the environment which can cause specific individuals problems.  The assessment of these patients must be conducted by a trained physician knowledgeable in these subjects because it is far more dangerous to follow 'cranky' diets or inappropriate avoidance techniques.

Many of the symptoms caused in patients with this problem can be easily identified and eliminated.

Environment

The numerous chemicals and complex substances which surround us in our day to day living usually cause no harm but can in susceptible people cause anything from mild to severe symptoms.  Thus the benzene in petrochemical products, the formalin in cavity wall insulation, the additives in food  and the pollution with sulphur dioxide are just some of the potentially hazardous substances.

If these are problematic then a thorough investigation and assessment of their impact on a particular individual is necessary.

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