An irregular, fatty diet could cause people to experience migraines, Chi Mei Medical Center neurology department director Yang Chun-ming (楊浚銘) said.
Yang cited an example a 15-year-old girl surnamed Lin (林), who had been having migraines for a long time, which her family thought was caused by academic pressure.
The migraine attacks felt like there was a power drill vibrating inside her head, Yang cited the girl as saying, adding that she would also get nauseous, and would become sensitive to light and noise.
Photo courtesy of the Chi Mei Medical Center
Lin would feel so uncomfortable that she would need to go to the school infirmary to lie down or go home early, he said.
Yang said he gave Lin medicines for acute pain relief and prevention, and administered out-of-pocket calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibody injections after shared decisionmaking.
The treatment helped reduce the frequency of Lin’s migraines from at least twice per week to twice per month, Yang said.
Lin was also tasked to keep a “migraine journal” to track her lifestyle, and the medical team found that chocolate, cheese and skipping meals aggravated her condition, he said.
When Lin adjusted her dietary habits, her symptoms further improved, Yang said, adding that a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and proper sleep significantly enhanced her quality of life.
The treatments eventually allowed her to lead a more normal life, he said.
The frequency and intensity of migraine attacks could increase during autumn or winter due to plummeting temperatures or changing air pressure, Yang said.
High-calorie or highly stimulating foods, such as liquor, cheese or chocolate — which people would have to keep warm during cold days — are also common migraine triggers, he said.
People should consider migraines as a signal from the body and keep a record of their diet to find out what foods induce an attack, Yang said, adding that it is important for those who experience migraines to have a balanced diet and sufficient sleep to keep their condition under control.
Many parents or teachers mistakenly think migraines are simply due to stress or fatigue, but migraines in teenagers are not typical, he said.
They usually get shorter, bilateral headaches, abdominal pain or fatigue, he added.
In some severe cases, the migraines could impact teenagers’ school and social lives, Yang said.
If a child regularly experiences migraines that are not mild and are disrupting their life — with symptoms such as sensitivity to light or noise — they should see a doctor specializing in pediatric neurology or general neurology, he said.
Early diagnosis and treatment by professional doctors could help effectively control migraines and prevent the condition from affecting the child’s development or academic performance, Yang said.
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