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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2004 >> Clue to cause? Avoid maybe
        
(Message started by: Mr.YL on Mar 19^th, 2004, 12:19am)

Title: Clue to cause? Avoid maybe
Post by Mr.YL on Mar 19^th, 2004, 12:19am

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1468-2982.2004.00634.x/abs/
On a hunch I have been conducting some research into possiable causes, I know we all have our own triggers but check this out...Nitrates (NITRITES) which are found in our drinking water, have some of the same properties as nitrates. Nitroglycerin has been known to cause some people to experience cluster headaches, that are suffers...Test have even shown that nitrates are a contributing factor.
Once again on a hunch if we look at the (DEADZONE) on the Mississippi river around lousiana we find an area that is almost non existant of aquatic life. Though their is an abundance of algea in this (DEAD ZONE). If their is an elevated level of nitrites in the water fish can not survive. The Nitrites (NH3) depletes the O2 in the water to the extent that it kills fish and vegitation...My research is preliminary, but check it out. Use your own search to find more out about it. If you have any information lets use this thread to post it. I have spoken with several physcians about the relationship of (Nitrates) in our drinking water and their answer was the same..(they did not know)
Just beginning to study...Mr.YL

Title: Re: Clue to cause? Avoid maybe
Post by Melissa on Mar 19^th, 2004, 8:01am

Mr. Y.L., if nitrites were the cause of our clusters, why are the majority of us episodic? I mean, shouldn't we get them year round of it were due to the nitrites in our drinking water? If you can find the answers for me, then I will listen further about your possible theory.

take care,
:)mel

Title: Re: Clue to cause? Avoid maybe
Post by floridian on Mar 19^th, 2004, 10:52am

When someone is in a cycle, nitrates can definitely trigger a headache. But Melissa is right to point out that for episodics (most of us), the headaches come at a particular time of the year and go away. It seems that something changes in our bodies to make us more susceptible to things that are not a problem for non-Clusterheads. It makes sense to avoid nitrates when in cycle (or always, if chronic). This may help some, but I don't think that it will help everyone.

There has been much discussion on the topic of diets here, but no scientific research or generally accepted conclusions on diet. The issue of nitrates in food has also been raised, but again, no real agreement. Lettuce and the leafy vegetables are rich in nitrates. Bacon, ham, and some other processed meats also contain nitrates or nitrites as preservatives.

Green tea, turmeric, ginger, and a few other herbs/spices have been shown to reduce nitric oxide production --- nitric oxide is produced by the body from nitrate, and it gets elevated in cluster headaches. It opens blood vessels, which pinch nerves. It also causes inflammation and aggravation when it gets out of hand - like histamine does.

Water pollution is a serious issue in many areas - fertilizer from the Midwest washes down the Mississippi, and it affects the Gulf of Mexico and kills coral in Florida. Phosphate is even worse than nitrate for causing eutrophication of waters (slimy, oxygen deprived conditions).

Title: Re: Clue to cause? Avoid maybe
Post by catlind on Mar 19^th, 2004, 12:32pm

The idea of the nitrates and oxygen depletion was discussed when Tracey and I were meeting with the docs at the New England Center for Headaches. They were talking about the fact there is great debate over this theory - the theory being it's the depleted oxygen that will trigger/cause clusters, and that's why nitrates have a trigger effect.

Purely by accident, I was able to give them some data to use in their ongoing research into this aspect.

Over New years I was admitted to the hospital for cardiac problems. The dumbass doc decided that he needed to give me nitro even though I reported it as an allergy. Because I was there as a cardiac patient, I was on all the monitors and telemetry, and of course my O2 saturation levels were being monitored.

When they started the nitro drip it did not take long at all for a cluster attack to happen. When I started yelling for the Oxygen at 15lpms with a non rebreather mask (they had me at 2lpms on a nasal cannula because it was cardiac related) the nurses kept arguing with me saying that my O2 saturation levels were at 98% that I didn't need the O2. My husband stepped in and let them know (in no uncertain terms) that the oxygen was for the cluster attack they induced and not anything to do with O2 levels.

When I related this to the docs at New England, they were fascinated with the info, as it was a direct case they could use to closer examine the oxygen depletion and nitrate elevation debate that exists in the medical world.

So, it's awesome that you are doing the research, and I certainly would not want to stifle anyone digging deeper into info, just know that there is a potential flaw to the nitrate/oxygen argument. If I ever get my records from that hospital, I will be forwarding them to the research institute to use in their own research on this subject.

Never stop asking questions!! :)

Cat