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Food as migraine trigger

Haraldsdottir HM, Gunnarsdottir I, Ingadottir AR, Sveinsson O

Laeknabladid, 2024

466 participants · 3 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Migraine is a neurological disorder that is characterized by severe headaches and temporary motor and sensory disturbances. Migraine triggers are internal or external factors that can increase the likelihood of a migraine attack. Some individuals with migraine associate their attacks with the consumption of certain types of food, but no have been conducted in Iceland. The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion of individuals with migraine in Iceland who associate their symptoms with consuming certain types of food.

METHODS: An electronic questionnaire was submitted to two groups (≥18 years old), members of the Icelandic Facebook group 'Migreni' (n=395 and to patients being treated by a neurologist (n=108), with the question if they thought certain foods could trigger migraine attacks. A total of 503 opened the survey (19.6% in the Facebook group and 65% managed by a neurologist). Response options were never/rarely, sometimes, often, or always. Other questions included types of migraine, medication use and background.

RESULTS: Out of 466 participants, 354 individuals (76%) claimed that food often or always triggered their migraine. The proportion was higher in the Facebook group than in the neurologist group (78% vs. 66%, p=0.007). Red wine and skipping meals (hunger) were the most common food-related triggers, reported as triggers often or always by >50%. Other common food triggers included white wine, liquorice, and smoked meat; they were…

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