Demographics Data And Questionnaire
Migraine was diagnosed by an investigator based on clinical history, a neurological examination, and laboratory or imaging data, as appropriate. Migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and probable migraine were classified into episodic migraine. Demographics data including age and sex, monthly frequency of attacks, headache duration in hours, monthly days of taking abortive medication use, and the severity of pain were collected and assessed. The applied questionnaires included Headache Impact Test-6 to measure headache-related impact, Patient Health Questionnare-9 to assess depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 to assess anxiety, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure the quality of sleep.,,,
Vitamin D And Migraine Evidence And Answers You Must Know
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This is an evidence-based article from the authors of Migraine Strong. It includes scientific evidence from studies and peer-reviewed research papers. References to the evidence may be reviewed by clicking the hyperlinked words and/or numbers in parenthesis within the article.
Medically reviewed by Danielle Aberman, RD
Vitamin D has been getting a lot of attention over the past few years. This is because much of the general public is low in this important nutrient. But what about those of us with primary headache disorders? Can low Vitamin D cause headaches ? We all know that migraine is more than a headache. But what evidence is there about the relationship between Vitamin D and migraine?
According to an observational study, approximately 42% of people with chronic migraine were considered deficient in Vitamin D. Whats also eye-opening was that the longer the person was chronic, the more likely they were to be low.
While I am a licensed health professional, this article is for information, only. It is not medical advice nor a substitute for medical advice. It is written from the patient and patient-advocate perspective.
One Part Of A Complex Puzzle
All of this is not to say that vitamins dont have a role to play in your migraines. Migraines are a complex condition that likely has many contributing factors. Doctors should explore all possibilities including nutrient deficiencies to try to ease the burden of migraines.
One important contributing cause that many people overlook is temporomandibular joint disorders , which can cause muscle tension and nerve pressure that contribute to the frequency and intensity of migraines. Unfortunately taking vitamins for TMJ wont treat you. You will need TMJ treatment instead. It can help many people who arent getting good results from their current migraine therapy.
Want to learn whether TMJ treatment can help with your migraines in Rochester, NY? Please call for an appointment with a TMJ dentist at Contemporary Dentistry.
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Are Your Headaches Due To Low Vitamin D
Have you heard your friends talking about their vitamin D level? Did your healthcare provider check your level at your annual checkup?
While vitamin D is known to play an important role in bone health, there is inconsistent data on its role in other medical conditions, such as heart disease, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and pain disorders, like chronic pain and headaches.
No Evidence For An Association Of Vitamin D Deficiency And Migraine: A Systematic Review Of The Literature
Giuseppe Lippi
1Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology, Academic Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
2U.O. Diagnostica Ematochimica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, 14 Via Gramsci, 43126 Parma, Italy
3Emergency Department, Academic Hospital of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
4Service of Clinical Governance, General Hospital of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
Abstract
1. Introduction
The generic term vitamin D comprehends a number of fat-soluble secosteroids that exert a multitude of biological functions in vertebrates. In humans, the most important compounds are represented by ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol . The former molecule is not constitutively produced by plants or vertebrates but mainly originates from phytoplankton, fungi, and invertebrates. At variance with ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol is actively synthesized in humans and can also be assumed with the diet by ingestion of animal sources, especially liver, fish, eggs, or yolks .
As such, the aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the current scientific literature about the potential epidemiological association between serum vitamin D and migraine.
2. Search Criteria
3. Overview on Epidemiological Data
Flow diagram of study selection about the association between total serum vitamin D values and migraine.4. Conclusions
Conflict of Interests
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Sick And Tired Of Migraines Test For Nutritional Deficiencies
A migraine isnt just any headache. A migraine is a severe type of headache with an intense throbbing, often accompanied by nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Anyone who has experienced this knows a migraine is debilitating. Sometimes medications work, and sometimes they dont it depends on the person and the cause of the migraine. So what can a migraine-sufferer do?
Be proactive and try to address any nutritional deficiencies in your diet that may be making the issue worse. The best way to identify nutritional deficiencies is to test, not guess.
Consider how the following nutrients may help you:
Folic Acid and B-12
Deficiencies of folic acid and B-12 cause pernicious anemia . When severe enough, it can trigger migraines as a symptom, in addition to fatigue, memory loss and irritability.
Vitamin B2
A study in the European Journal of Neurology reported that high doses of vitamin B2 may help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. However, more research is needed because not all studies have found vitamin B2 to be effective.
Vitamin B6
In one study, taking folic acid, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 reduced migraine disability .
Vitamin D
Some research has shown that vitamin D deficiency is common among migraine sufferers. There have been patients whose migraine symptoms improved with vitamin D, the American Headache Society reports, possibly because of vitamin Ds ability to increase magnesium absorption.
Magnesium
Be proactive
Enjoy Your Healthy Life!
Tags
What Amount Of Vitamin D Should You Take
There is no definitive answer based on the a high degree of individual variation and seasonal exposure to the sun. As a Floridian, I can tell you that there are many people who regularly get adequate daily sun exposure. They eat good sources of Vitamin D yet are still unable to keep it from being low. Getting into the optimal range for helping sleep and migraine would be out of the question for them without significant supplementation.
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How To Treat B12 Headaches Or Migraine
If your headaches are caused by a deficiency, eating more B12 might make your symptoms go away. You can also take a vitamin B12 supplement, but make sure you stick to the good stuff. Opt for a high quality brand that doesnt contain lots of yucky additives.
If youre getting enough B12 but still get headaches something else might be to blame. Talk with a healthcare professional if you have chronic headaches or migraine. They can run a simple blood test to verify if a vitamin B12 deficiency is to blame.
You might be able to treat headaches or migraine in the short term with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If these dont cut it, your doc might suggest something stronger.
Some peeps also get relief from alternative treatments such as:
Symptoms Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency has many symptoms, which often go undetected or are thought to be related to another illness. Symptoms vary for each patient, depending on the severity of their deficiency. Common symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include joint pain, weak or cramping muscles, frequent bone fractures, weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, depression and headaches.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to serious long term problems if it is not addressed. Bone diseases can develop due to the lack of calcium, some of these include osteomalacia, osteoporosis and rickets. Teeth can become more susceptible to cavities. Autoimmune disorders may also develop due to the immune systems reliance upon the vitamin. If you feel you Vitamin D deficient, get a Vitamin D test and find out!
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Nutrient Deficiencies That Could Be Causing Your Headaches
Oh, my head is pounding.
We have all muddled through days when a headache gets in the way of what may have been planned. Before you grab that over-the-counter remedy to silence the drum banging in your head, experts say there could be several deficiencies that are contributing to your headache.
Dehydration
Water, water everywhere, but yet if we fail to drink enough it can spark a headache. According to the National Headache Foundation, even mild dehydration can cause a dehydration headache or even a migraine. Since its often not clear what is causing a headache, drinking a full glass of water and continuing to sip more fluids during the day is a simple way to ease the pain.
Magnesium Deficiency
Neurologist Dr. Joshua Daniel of Shore Physicians Group said many migraine headache sufferers are found to be deficient in magnesium when they have blood work done. He instructs patients to take magnesium not only to prevent the onset of future migraines because it stops the transmission of pain but also because there are no side effects. Magnesium is affordable and available over the counter, according to the physician.
Dr. Daniel said he includes magnesium with the IV fusion therapy to treat migraines that has proven to be very helpful with patients. He added that it is safe and has no contraindications for patients.
Fight Deficiency with Diet
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Vitamin D Chronic Migraine And Extracranial Pain: Is There A Link Data From An Observational Study
- 1Neurology and Stroke Unit, ASST Sette Laghi di Varese, Varese, Italy
- 2Endocrine Unit, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- 3Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- 4Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Medical Humanities, Center of Research in Medical Pharmacology, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
- 5Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
- 6Department of Biotechnologies and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
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What Is Vitamin D Deficiency
If you have been experiencing headaches, you may now be asking yourself: are your headaches due to low vitamin D? Vitamin D is needed by the body to absorb calcium, necessary for things like bone growth. It is also helps the immune system function properly, fights illness, aids weight loss, and helps combat depression. Vitamin D deficiency is the lack of this particular nutrient in the body. There are many risk factors for vitamin D deficiency such as:
- A lack of sunlight, which is crucial to obtaining this vitamin.
- Dietary issues, such as allergies to foods that contain vitamin D.
- Individuals with dark skin, as melanin inhibits the production of vitamin D.
- Obesity, which does not allow vitamin D to circulate properly.
- Malfunctioning kidneys, which otherwise are needed for the output of vitamin D in the body.
Additionally, older people tend to be more at risk than most. In fact, it is estimated that over 90% of seniors have vitamin D deficiency. This is due to their inability to produce ample amounts of vitamin D in the skin, and the reduced exposure to the sun as a result of their increased time indoors.
Dehydration Could Be The Culprit When It Comes To Your Headaches
We’re surrounded by drinking water, yet many of us don’t get enough of this important fluid during the day. And some people don’t drink any fluids for hours and hours, which registered dietician MEd, CSSD, LDN, CDE told INSIDER can be a contributing factor in headaches.
“If you fall in this category, consider setting the alarm on your phone or computer to cue you to drink,” recommended Stefanski. She said to focus on drinking eight ounces of water several times per day. “Everyone has different fluid needs, but you should aim for at least 64 ounces of fluid as an adult,” she explained.
Read more: 11 signs of dehydration you might be missing
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Why Do You Get Headaches When The Menstrual Cycle Starts
Menstrual-related migraines are the most common type of hormonal headaches. They usually start about two days before the period and can last for two to three days after the menstruation begins.
Just before your period starts, estrogen levels drop. This could cause severe headaches that disrupt your everyday activities. In fact, more than half of women who suffer from migraines notice their link to the menstrual cycle.
While your period is the most common trigger of hormonal headaches, other causes of such symptoms include:
- Birth control pills While hormonal oral contraceptives can regulate your periods and alleviate many unpleasant symptoms associated with them, they can also worsen headaches. So if youve noticed an increase in migraines after starting the pill, it could be the culprit.
- Perimenopause and menopause During this period, levels of estrogen can wildly fluctuate and eventually drop. This could lead to severe headaches and migraines, which coupled with other unpleasant symptoms, worsen the quality of life dramatically.
- Hormone replacement therapy Pills women take to regulate their hormone levels during menopause may also worsen headaches. Its imperative to speak to your doctor to adjust the dosage in order to minimize this side effect.
These Vitamin Deficiencies Could Explain Your Migraines
People who suffer from migraines may want to check if theyre getting enough of certain vitamins and nutrients.
While it isnt yet clear if supplementation might help prevent migraines, new research presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society in San Diego revealed that a significant portion of kids, teens and young adults who suffer from migraines are mildly deficient in vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10.
“We think that there is a likelihood that patients with migraines are more likely to be deficient in these vitamins than the general population,” lead study author Dr. Suzanne Hagler, a headache medicine fellow in the neurology division at the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center, told The Huffington Post.
If future studies find that these deficiencies do indeed play a role in migraines, Hagler said that a healthy diet that samples from diverse food groups, as well as vitamin and nutrient supplements, could be key in helping to prevent or treat migraines, perhaps alongside standard migraine medicines.
The findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, and should be considered preliminary. Hagler plans to submit the report for consideration this summer.
But because many of the patients were ultimately treated with both vitamin supplements and preventive migraine medications, Hagler couldnt tell whether their migraine improvements were due to the vitamin supplements or the migraine medications.
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Comprehensive Migraine Treatment Look For The Migraine Triggers
It is important for you to understand that treating migraines by using a simple remedy may not be the best approach. While using supplements like B and D vitamins can be useful, this is still an approach which is similar to using medications. In many cases you can get a longer lasting relief by identifying the root cause of your migraines you need to identify and avoid the triggers of the migraine.
Just as there are numerous theories on the actual mechanics of migraine pain, there are a wide number of potential triggers and what triggers a migraine for you might not trigger it in someone else. So rather than just popping some B or D vitamins you will want to consider a more comprehensive strategy.
Lets discuss some of the common triggers:
Vitamin D And Your Body
At one time, low vitamin D levels were thought to cause only the bone-weakening disease . Now, increasing evidence suggests low levels affect almost every system of the body, including the brain.
Though research to prove that low vitamin D causes is ongoing, several recent studies shed some light on the link. A report presented at a meeting of the American Headache Society found that 40% of people with migraines had low vitamin D levels. Those with deficiencies also developed migraines earlier in life.
Another study, in the Journal of Headache , shows migraines are more common at higher latitudes. This fact, and the pattern of migraine pain by season, suggests that the headaches strike where sun exposure is decreased and vitamin D levels reduced. Population studies report that about 42% of US adults have abnormally low levels of Vitamin D.
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Previous Research Disputes Vitamin Ties
Most importantly, we need to remember that this is not the first time researchers have looked at vitamin levels as a possible cause or contributor to migraines. Theres been enough research done on vitamin D for people to conclude that there is no link between the nutrient and migraines. There is little support for other nutrients cited in this stud, as well.
Overall, this leads us to conclude that vitamin deficiency cant be a major contributor to migraines for many people.
Patients And Clinical Demographics
There were 494 adult patients with migraine who were registered in the headache records between January 2016 to May 2017, of which 154 had an incomplete response or absent questionnaire, 162 had no assessment of the vitamin D level, and 21 had an interval between the assessment and vitamin D testing of longer than 1 month, and so were excluded, resulting in 157 migraineurs being included in this study . The sex distribution, number of days of migraine attacks per month, VAS score, and season distribution did not differ between the included and excluded patients, but the frequency of chronic migraine was higher and that of probable migraine was lower in the included patients .
Flowchart outlining patient inclusion.
The 157 included patients were aged 37.0±8.6 years , and 75.2% of them were female. They were classified into migraine without aura , migraine with aura , chronic migraine , and probable migraine according to the ICHD-3 classification. The vitamin D level was 15.9±7.4 ng/mL. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was observed in 121 migraineurs , and was more common in spring and winter than in summer and autumn . Based on a < 30 ng/mL cutoff for serum vitamin D, 149 migraineurs were considered to have vitamin D insufficiency.
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