Migraines can appear in many forms; some people experience less pain and more light sensitivity, some get very dizzy and cannot see well, while others have intense pain and nausea, and usually throw up after they attempt to eat or drink anything, including migraine medication. Either way, migraines are not a pleasant experience, and people who get them are always on the lookout for new findings of potential causes and cures. Scientists have recently discovered that vitamin deficiency is one of the causes for migraines, which may alleviate chronic migraines for some people when catered to. Here is what you need to know:
Vitamin Deficiencies that Cause Migraines
In the most recent study, scientists found that children, teenagers and young adults who suffered from migraines were all lacking in either vitamin D, riboflavin or coenzyme Q10. Vitamin deficiencies can cause a number of ailments, including nerve damage from a lack of vitamin B12, so it is no surprise that migraines could be caused by a lack of these vitamins. Many people don’t get enough vitamin D, and in this study, they reported that mostly boys and young men with migraines did not have enough of this vitamin. Girls and young women were mostly found lacking coenzyme Q10, a substance that produces energy and promotes cell growth. Since scientists and doctors do not have all the answers for the cause of migraines, there are still many questions about this, and other studies too, but it is always worth their while for migraine sufferers to find a potential “cure.”
What To Do:
Before taking any supplements, it is important to talk to your doctor. Even though vitamins are natural, they can still cause reactions to other medication you may be taking, so make an appointment to talk about this study with your doctor. You can also request a blood test to look for these and other vitamin deficiencies. Once you get your test results, you can decide on how to proceed. Make sure you ask your doctor what the actual numbers are on the blood test because sometimes doctors will tell you that your numbers are normal, but normal can be a matter of opinion. If you are in the normal range, but on the low side, you can ask your doctor if taking these vitamin supplements for a while will hurt. If your doctor gives you the green light, try taking more of what you are deficient in and see if it results in lesser migraines.
What To Do If It Doesn’t Work:
Since migraines can be caused by many different factors, it is wise to keep an eye on other potential causes of migraines. While the vitamin supplements can help, they may not completely take away your pain because your migraines can come from more than one source. They can be caused by:
Weather changes Growth hormones in beef Dairy products Caffeine MSG Stress Lack of sleep Menstrual cycle Alcohol Nitrates Scents and many more
When trying the vitamin supplements, keep a journal and track everything you eat and drink, weather changes, sleep patterns, stress levels, and anything else you think may be contributing to your migraines. Keep this for at least a month, and you can bring it to your doctor to discuss treatment options.
