Doctor clarifies myths and facts about migraine | Press

Among them, the myth persists that monosodium glutamate causes migraine. Clear up this and other doubts about the problem.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that 15% of Brazilians suffer from migraines. Another survey by the Brazilian Headache Society shows that 13 million Brazilians suffer from daily headaches. According to José Henrique Silva, PhD in Medical Sciences from the Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine and consultant to the Umami Committee, the problem must be taken seriously and may be associated with genetics and triggering factors such as hormonal changes, stress, excessive sleeping or insomnia.

“People who experience severe headaches often end up self-medicating. Without guidance from a specialist, patients live surrounded by doubts about symptoms and treatments,” the specialist stresses. To help those who suffer from this condition, José Henrique listed the main questions and clarified what is myth and what is fact regarding the causes of migraine. Check it out:

Not sleeping well increases the chances of suffering from migraines. Fact.

After a bad night’s sleep it’s common to feel irritable and have a headache, right? The specialist explains that both too much and too little sleep can trigger a headache attack. “According to a Korean study, people with insomnia have about three times more migraines and nearly double other headaches compared to those without sleep disorders,” he notes.

Children are free from migraines. Myth.

Headaches are not an adults-only issue. Research shows that the problem affects between 3% and 10% of children and adolescents. “The difficulty in describing what they feel can delay diagnosis in children. That’s why adults should keep an eye on their behavior. Mood changes, anxiety, and eating problems can be signs of migraine, especially if parents have the same condition,” he explains.

Physical exercise is recommended for those who suffer from migraines. Fact.

So far, studies have shown that physical exercise reduces the intensity of headache attacks, although not necessarily their frequency. “Exercise should be encouraged for all patients, given its potential to prevent obesity and cardiovascular diseases, to which migraine patients are more prone,” he adds.

Monosodium glutamate causes migraines. Myth.

The use of monosodium glutamate in food was linked to migraine incidence for years. However, the physician points out that the latest version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), which lists substances that trigger headache symptoms and was released in early 2018, removed monosodium glutamate from this list, debunking yet another myth. “There is no evidence that monosodium glutamate can cause headaches,” he concludes.

#DoctorTips

Note that triggers may differ for each person, which explains why not everyone improves their migraines just by adopting new daily habits. José Henrique explains that follow-up with a specialist is important and offers some recommendations to help reduce migraine attacks:

• Keep hydrated;
• Follow medical advice—avoid self-medication;
• Include physical activity in your routine, always respecting your limits;
• Opt for a healthy diet;
• Keep regular sleep hours.

UMAMI

It is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by the Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. It was scientifically recognized in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami confirmed the existence of specific receptors for this taste on the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main umami substances. The two main characteristics of umami are increased salivation and the persistence of taste for a few minutes after eating. To learn more, visit www.portalumami.com.br.