Is this what’s causing your migraines?
A recent study out of Germany attributes migraine cause to sodium level in Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cerebrospinal fluid surrounds the brain and spinal cord, providing a cushion for the brain while also helping to ensure chemical stability for proper brain function.
Using a cerebral sodium MRI, researchers discovered a connection between migraine patients and increased levels of sodium in cerebrospinal fluid. They are hopeful the discovery will make migraine diagnoses easier.
Typically, migraines can be quite difficult to diagnose because there are different types, and not all patients experience the same symptoms.
“Migraines are currently diagnosed after performing a thorough history and physical examination,” says Dr. Smriti Wagle of Advocate Medical Group. “The characteristics of the headaches experienced by the patient are compared with diagnostic criteria to label a headache as a migraine.”
As for the study, Dr. Wagle suggests there are still many unanswered questions regarding the utilization of sodium levels to diagnose migraines. She also points out that it doesn’t outline how to reduce sodium levels for those individuals whose sodium is too high.
“There are definitely many unanswered questions regarding the relationship between sodium and migraines that would need to be addressed prior to utilizing sodium levels as a way to diagnose migraines,” Dr. Wagle adds.
She wants individuals to keep this in mind: “If you are experiencing debilitating headaches associated with nausea and sensitivity to light or are having headaches for more than 10 days per month, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss the best treatment options for you.”
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
I’m a chronic Migraine sufferer. I have gone through 6 burning of the nerves, 3 times on each side of my neck. I have also had shots directly into the nerve on the back /top of my head. And I take one of the strongest medications for them and nothing has helped mine so far. My pain management doctor who is out of Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak lawn, Illinois is trying everything to help me. Is there anything I should maybe ask him? Or tell him to try?
I’m not a medical practitioner, Joy, but has your doctor tested you to see if the migraines may be caused by a food or fiber allergy? If you eat a lot of packaged foods, you may be ingesting higher levels of sodium than you realize. Check the sodium content on food labels when grocery-shopping. Relief may come from eliminating gluten or other irritants from your diet or by removing certain fabrics from your closet/bedding.