How to Stop a Headache

Many children and adults suffer from chronic headaches. There are several foods that can ease the pain of a headache, but there are also many foods that trigger headaches. Cutting these headaches from your diet may significantly reduce your headaches.

Aged Cheese

While aged cheese is full of calcium and easier to digest for people who are lactose intolerant, it also contains something called Tyramine. Tyramine is a naturally found sustance that can conflict with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor medications taken for headaches. If you're on one of these medication, it's best to cut out Aged Cheese and any other Tyramine containing food from your diet so that your medication can be more effective. Other foods high in Tyramine include salted, processed, canned and cured foods, red wine, and beans.


Caffeine 

Caffeine is a double edged sword. It can help relieve headaches, and is even an active ingredient in some migrane medications, but when it is taken on a daily basis, it can cause more headaches. Many people rely on caffeine to get through the day, and it can be very hard to give up, but doing so can significantly reduce headache pain.

Citrus

Citrus fruits are full of benefits, and for most people, they are fine to eat. However, scientists have found that some people may get headaches from citrus because they have an enzyme deficiency. If you've eliminated many foods and nothing seems to be relieving your headache pain, try cutting citrus from your diet.

Food Additives
 
Many food additives can trigger headaches, including nitrates, sulfites, MSG, and artificial sweeteners.

Alcohol

Alcohol can cause headaches as it is metabolized in the body. Big offenders include red wine, beer, whiskey, and champagne.

Cold Foods
 
Some people are extremely sensitive to cold foods and may get headaches from them. Headaches are more likely to happen if you are overheated when you consume them.

Other foods that have been known to trigger headaches include peanuts, peanut butter, other nuts and seeds, yeast, avocados, pizza, potato chips, ripe banana, soya products, and sourdough bread.