Health Quest 4
Even if you've tested negatively for food allergies, an adverse
reaction to food could be causing your aching head. Common
migraine food triggers include caffeine, chocolate, cheese, the
additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), alcohol and nuts. Wheat,
fruits and other grains have also been linked to headaches in some
individuals.
ALLERGIES VS. INTOLERANCE
True food allergies occur when IgE, the allergic antibody that
is bound to the immune system's mast cells, interacts with the
food, which causes release of histamine and triggers a variety of
symptoms including hives and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing.
e adverse food reactions responsible for migraines, however, are
not IgE-related, so allergy tests that measure IgE antibody levels
cannot identify these food intolerances.
"Keeping a food diary is the best way to determine if foods are
causing migraines," says David Resnick, MD, Allergist at Mount
Kisco Medical Group. "If migraines commonly occur after eating
a particular food, we can safely assume the food is contributing to
headaches and recommend food avoidance."
TO FIND AN ALLERGIST, VISIT THE PHYSICIAN DIRECTORY AT
WWW.HEALTHQUEST.ORG.
An estimated 5 to 10 percent of women have PCOS, according to the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health.
Characterized by acne, difficulty losing weight, irregular periods, infertility
and abnormal hair growth, PCOS can impact both physical and emotional
well-being.
e exact cause of PCOS isn't known, but imbalances of the hormones
estrogen, progesterone and androgen are suspected to play a role. Currently,
PCOS has no cure, but with medication, women can successfully manage
the condition.
"While we can't treat the syndrome, we can certainly treat concerning
symptoms, allowing women to lead more normal lives," says Stacey Madoff,
MD, OB/GYN at Health Quest Medical Practice. "Taking birth control pills can
help regulate periods and control acne and hair loss. Weight management is
more difficult, but it is doable with a healthy diet and vigorous cardiovascular
exercise. Medications are also available to help promote ovulation in women
who experience infertility."
TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN OB/GYN AT HEALTH QUEST
MEDICAL PRACTICE, CALL 1888525HQMP 4767.
The sneaky culprit responsible for your
frequent migraine headaches may be hiding
in an unlikely place: your refrigerator.
TAKING BACK
A mysterious condition called polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS) can make a woman feel that her body and life are
out of balance. Fortunately, help is available.
BE A
DETECTIVE
Food-Intolerance
YOUR BODY
5–10%
OF WOMEN
HAVE PCOS
