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FOOD INTAKE PRIOR TO A MIGRAINE ATTACK ‐STUDY OF 2,313 SPONTANEOUS ATTACKS
Author(s) -
Dalton Katharina
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1975.hed1503188.x
Subject(s) - medicine , migraine , pill , food intake , alcohol intake , tyramine , alcohol consumption , physiology , alcohol , pharmacology , biology , biochemistry
SYNOPSIS Sandler, Youdim and Hannington noted an inability to oxidise tyramine and phenylethylamene in dietary and non dietary migraine sufferers‐l,883 female volunteers in Britain completed questionnaires detailing food intake during the 24 hours prior to spontaneous migraine attacks. Analysis of 2,313 attacks are reported. This revealed consumption of chocolate in 33%, cheese 40%, citrus fruits 21% and alcohol 23%. Fasting (5 hours day or 13 hours overnight) occurred in 67%. No dietary factors were isolated in 5%. Only 14% thought food caused their attacks and 2% blamed fasting. Sensitising factors analysed included age, time in menstrual cycle, pill taking and hysterectomy. The findings suggest that in double blind trials designed to elucidate dietary factors, one needs to consider the patient's intake during the 24 hours prior to the administration of the test capsule. A new approach to treatment is suggested with elimination of specific foods and avoidance of fasting.