three months and haven’t returned in 7½ years.
The man was allergic, and previously published research suggests that better control of allergies may also lead to fewer migraine headaches. In this case, the man’s allergy symptoms also improved — to the point that he no longer needed to use seasonal medication.
He was also HIV-positive, and HIV has been linked to a heightened risk of migraines. It is possible that the man’s HIV status and antiretroviral drugs had contributed to his symptoms, the authors said, though it wasn’t possible to study this further without stopping the antiretroviral treatment.
“While this report describes one very adherent patient who had a remarkable response, the LIFE diet has reduced migraine frequency within 3 months in several additional patients,” Dunaief adds.
For his part, Rosen says that “the role of proper diet and migraine has had a few studies demonstrating benefit.”
Combating Prejudice: What Black Migraine Patients Can Do to Self-Advocate
Combating Prejudice: What Black Migraine Patients Can Do to Self-Advocate
Tips for migraine prevention
Being properly hydrated, eating a healthy “low-glycemic” diet and getting lots of omega 3 fatty acids (such as are found in oily fish) have all been shown to have a positive effect on curbing migraines.
Beyond food, getting good sleep, regular exercise and psychological interventions such as “cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation” may also help.
Before making any drastic changes to your diet and/or changing/stopping your medication, consult with your doctor.