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Bacteria in the mouth can trigger migraine
The neurological disorder migraine affects about ten percent of all people. Women are affected much more frequently than men. The occurring headaches are a big burden for sufferers. Researchers now found that a bacterium seems to be involved in the processing of nitrates in the disease. This may explain why some foods act as a trigger for migraine.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego and the University of Chicago found in an investigation that higher levels of a bacterium might explain why some foods seem to trigger migraine. The bacteria are normally involved in the processing of nitrates. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "mSystems".
Migraine is a big burden for those affected. Researchers now suspect that certain bacteria in our oral cavity are related to the development of migraine. (Image: Antonioguillem / fotolia.com) What is migraine?
Migraines can lead to periodic recurring headaches. The occurring pain is often seizure-like, pulsating and half-sided. In addition, symptoms such as increased sensitivity to light or noise, nausea and vomiting often occur. The disease is a big burden for those affected. Migraine is 30 percent more common in women than in men.
Scientists use the data of the "American Good Project"
The physicians found in their investigation that apparently a bacterium is involved in the development of migraine. This processes nitrates in the human body. Nitrates are contained in processed meat (bacon), some wines and chocolate, for example. The American researchers analyzed the data from the so-called "American Good Project" for their investigation. This ongoing project examines the relationships between the human microbiome (the bacterial ecosystem in the body) and health, the experts explain. The project is one of the world's largest microbiome research projects. The physicians tried to determine if certain bacteria in the mouth and upper throat (the oral cavity) or bacteria in our excretions are associated with migraine.
Migraine sufferers have elevated levels of bacteria in their mouth
Nitrates from our diet are broken down by certain types of bacteria. They are eventually converted into nitric oxide in the bloodstream, which is associated with the onset of headache, say the scientists. Analysis of the data revealed that migraine patients have larger amounts of such bacteria in their oral cavity. Therefore, they also have elevated levels of nitric oxide in their blood.
Migraine Mouthwash could help sufferers in the future
The researchers hope that in the future a kind of mouthwash for migraine will be developed. This could then remove the bacteria from the oral cavity and thus protect against migraine. If people get migraines after eating nitrate-rich foods, they should better avoid such foods in the future, the experts also advise.
Physicians examine faecal and oral samples
Because the study is a cross-sectional study, it can only suggest an association, but not directly demonstrate that the bacteria in the oral cavity and our faeces directly cause migraine, the authors explain. The researchers studied a total of 172 oral and 1,996 faecal samples from healthy subjects. Previously, the subjects had taken part in surveys about an earlier onset of migraine. The experts used gene sequencing techniques to categorize which types of bacteria were included in the number and number of samples.
Further research on this topic is urgently needed
The researchers explained that the findings showed for the first time a possible link between bacterial nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide and migraine. These bacteria were more commonly found in the oral cavities of people with migraine, compared with people without migraines, the scientists say. Future studies should continue to focus on this connection. The study showed clear indications of a possible association between migraine and bacteria. However, much more research is needed to further investigate this possible compound. Before, it makes no sense to think about appropriate treatments such as a migraine mouthwash, explain the authors. (As)