The cause of vascular headache is not totally clear.  It is frequently associated with an abnormal body response to carbohydrate foods, female hormones and caffeine.  Carbohydrate foods may precipitate a headache up to 18 hours after ingestion; therefore patients frequently do not recognize the relationship between the food and the headache.  Headaches are frequently precipitated or made worse by birth control pills or female hormones (Estrogen).  Also, they may be triggered by stress, physical or emotional upsets, menstruation, fever, injury, sunburn or extreme fatigue and aerobic exercise.

A successful treatment has been dietary.  The dietary regimen consists of restricting carbohydrates.  The total amount of carbohydrates is more important than the type of carbohydrate food consumed.

FOODS FREQUENTLY RELATED TO HEADACHES

1. Sugar and foods that contain sugar, i.e., soft drinks, candy, jams, jelly and peanut butter.

2. Cereal grains:

    A. Wheat which is found in breads, cakes, pastry, biscuits, cookies, crackers, macaroni, noodles, spaghetti, etc.
    B. Oats, rye and barley are most commonly seen in breakfast cereals and breads.

    C. Baked goods that contain yeast, i.e., freshly baked breads, doughnuts, cakes, etc.

3. Fruits and vegetables, i.e., avocados (1), Lima beans(1) , bananas (1), onions, raisins, figs, and plums.

4. Whole milk products, i.e., aged (1) and processed cheese (2), yogurt, sour cream, chocolate milk, buttermilk and ice cream.

5. Smoked or processed (3) meats, i.e., hotdogs, bologna, bacon, ham, salami, wurst, marinated fish (3), pickled herring. Substitute fresh meat and fish.

6. Additives, flavor-enhancers and Monosodium Glutamate (Chinese foods, frozen dinners, canned soups) i.e., soy sauce, meat tenderizer, seasoned salt etc., preservatives (3), food colorant(3).

7. Alcohol: Beer, wine (2) (red and sherry), liquor. Substitute white wine.

8. Caffeine: This list does not include everything. Read package labels! (Dilates blood vessels)

    A. Food and Drink:

        Coffee---Chocolate (2) --- Barq's Root Beer---Tea---Dr. Pepper---Decaffeinated coffee---Tab---Cola drinks--- 
        General Foods Instant Coffee

    B. Over the counter Drugs Containing Caffeine:

        A.P.C. w/ codeine---Fiorinal ---Synalgos---Cafergot---Migral ---Theophylline---Darvon---Repan---
        Theobromine---Emprazil---Soma

        Methylxanthines (including caffeine)

9. Artificial sweeteners: Nutrasweet, Equal, Saccharin. Substitute Splenda or Stivia.

Under no circumstances should carbohydrates or soft drinks be used as a between meal snack.

(1) TYRAMINE (2) PHENYLETHYLAMINE (3) SODIUM NITRITE