According to a research study published
in Headache: The Journal of Head and
Face Pain, if you have celiac disease, you’re more than twice as likely
to have migraines than the normal population. If you have gluten sensitivity,
you’re more than four times likely to suffer with debilitating migraines. The
researchers also looked at those suffering with IBD, inflammatory bowel
disease, and found them a little over one and half times more likely to suffer
migraines.
Migraine intensity seemed to also be
positively associated with gluten intolerance. Seventy-two percent of celiac
stated that they suffered from migraines that were severe in impact, as did
sixty percent of those suffering from gluten sensitivity. Of those suffering
with IBD, only thirty percent ranked their migraines in the severe category.
When we consider that ninety-five
percent of all celiacs remain undiagnosed and likely ninety-nine percents of
all those suffering from gluten sensitivity, any assistance in improving those abysmal
percentages is data well worth knowing.
What this study reveals is that the
symptom of migraine could very well be a red-flag for celiac disease or gluten
sensitivity. Imagine if doctors whose patients complained of migraines were
regularly screened for gluten intolerance? Would our percentage of diagnosis
improve? It seems likely that it would.
One thing that did concern me was the
researchers found that the number of years on a gluten-free diet had no
influence on the severity of the migraines suffered. For me that is
unacceptable. It is rare in my clinic that we don’t resolve migraines. I agree,
that a food sensitivity, frequently gluten, is a trigger. But more must be done
and this study clearly demonstrates that.
We once again find ourselves in the
arena of Secondary Effects. If not addressed, these Secondary Effects of gluten
will perpetuate a weakened immune system, leaky gut, nutritional deficiencies
and hormonal imbalance – to name a few. When these factors persist, so will the
migraines, in the majority of cases.
The take away from this study was
two-fold for me. One facet being positive, while the other was decidedly
negative.
1. Patients
suffering from migraines should be evaluated for gluten intolerance as they
suffer from the symptom, vastly more often than does the general population of
sufferers.
2. One
the negative side, those removing gluten from their diet, continued to suffer
from migraines. Based on my clinical experience, this is due to improper
treatment of the Secondary Effects of gluten. The facts are that we see many
very serious migraine cases and our success rate is quite excellent. We attribute
that to diagnosing not only any food sensitivities, but also proper evaluation
of the Secondary Effects as mentioned above.
Many individuals suffer from
debilitating migraines. I was one, actually and so was my mother. When I
developed migraines in my teenage years I was told that I had them because my
mother did. Not a very encouraging statement! After all, I couldn't change my
genes… or could I? In fact, I found that what my mother and I both shared was a
gluten intolerance. And yes, secondary to that intolerance were some
infections, nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalance. And guess what?
When I fixed those things I NEVER had another migraine – never. And when I
fixed them in my mother, she NEVER had another migraine.
I understand migraines, therefore,
personally as well as professionally. They are definitely no fun and I urge you
to pass this post along to anyone you know who suffers.
We are always here to answer questions
and assist where needed. Anyone interested can call us for a free health
analysis as well – call 408-733-0400.
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If you felt as if I was describing you above, you are not alone. As I mentioned earlier, adrenal fatigue/exhaustion is almost epidemic. If you would like assistance and don’t have a clinician whom you feel can assist you, consider contacting us for a FREE Health Analysis. We are a Destination Clinic and treat patients from across the country and internationally. We would be delighted to help you as we have been doing so for over two decades.
Visit us at www.RootCauseMedicalClinic.com. If you have questions or need any help, I’m here for you! Call 408-733-0400.
I look forward to hearing from you.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN, CFMP
IFM Certified Practitioner
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!”
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!”
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