Migraine has become a disease that affects the lives of 5.2 million people in Spain. Dr. Juan Manuel Ceballos, a neurology specialist, warns that eating control is a very important pillar to stop crises.
According to the expert, small changes such as avoiding red wine, chocolate or aged cheeses can make the difference between a normal day and one of total disability. The data supports his opinion: this pathology is already the second cause of disability in Spain, costing more than 2.5 billion euros annually in sick leave.
The role of food
Medical science explains that the brain of a migraine sufferer is “hyperexcitable.” That is, they react in an exaggerated way to stimuli that others ignore, such as light, smells or certain foods.
The culprit is a neurovascular process that inflames the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for transmitting sensitivity to the face and head. In such a scenario, the specialist details that “it is essential to adjust nutrition.”
And, as he claims, certain foods such as aged cheese or sausages contain biogenic amines, substances that, if the body does not degrade well, act as a trigger for intense pain, nausea and that annoying hypersensitivity to light and noise.
Innovative measures to attack migraines
The great news for patients is the change in Public Health strategy. The Ministry of Health has included in its financing monoclonal antibodies, monthly injections that act by blocking the CGRP protein, responsible for transmitting pain.
This help is intended for people with more than eight crises a month, radically changing the lives of those who suffered pain almost daily. Compared to traditional treatment that only acted when the head already hurt, these drugs manage to prevent the episode from occurring.
“The migraine brain hates change”
However, beyond the drugs, Dr. Ceballos and the Spanish Society of Neurology insist that “the migraine brain hates change.” To keep it under control, they recommend always eating and sleeping at the same time, drinking water constantly, as well as maintaining good rest habits and regular physical activity.
The objective is that this 13% of the population, mostly women, can recover their routine without the constant fear of the next crisis.