TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- A neurologist at Chi Mei Hospital said Sunday that a teenage girl's chronic migraines were traced to her diet after she kept a detailed "headache log," revealing sweets and prolonged fasting as major triggers, per CNA.
Yang Jun-ming (楊浚銘), director of the hospital's Department of Neurology, said the 15-year-old had been suffering from severe, recurring migraines that her parents initially believed were caused by academic pressure. Doctors soon learned that sweet foods such as chocolate, as well as going without meals for extended periods, consistently preceded her headaches.
After adjusting her eating habits and learning stress-management techniques, her migraines subsided rapidly, Yang said.
The student described the headaches as feeling like "a power tool drilling into her brain," accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to noise. The pain often became so overwhelming that she could not concentrate, frequently resting in the school health center or returning home early.
Her condition gradually led to depression and school avoidance, which her parents attributed to academic stress. Yang said outpatient evaluations confirmed a diagnosis of adolescent migraine.
The headache log revealed key dietary triggers, including chocolate, cheese, and fasting. With dietary changes, regular exercise, consistent sleep habits, and improved stress management, the student returned to normal school life, rejoining clubs and social activities.
Yang noted that foods commonly eaten in Taiwan can trigger migraines, though "everyone's landmines are different." Typical triggers include tyramine-rich aged cheeses, red wine, chocolate, MSG, artificial sweeteners, and excess caffeine. He said complete avoidance is not always necessary, but mindful moderation helps.
A headache log can help patients identify what they consumed in the 24 hours before each migraine, he said, adding that regular meals can prevent the low blood sugar that often triggers headaches.
Yang also addressed a common misconception that exercise worsens migraines. In fact, he said, regular and moderate physical activity is a medically proven method of prevention. He recommends aerobic activities such as brisk walking, jogging, or yoga, performed three to five times a week for about 30 minutes, gradually increasing both duration and intensity.