To the editor:

I was pleased to begin the article, “Right in the head” on headache causes and cures, especially after seeing one culprit — caffeine — caught in bold-face type. Interest peaked as the article warned against popping pain relievers, then mentioned food. But it didn’t go far enough.

As a migraine sufferer for three decades, I tried going off “cheese, chocolate, and alcohol.” Still the headaches. What I wish more people knew is that food allergy, even an intolerance or sensitivity, can trigger chronic headaches that find no relief until that entire food category is sworn off for good.

For me it was gluten (wheat, oats, barley, rye, spelt and others) and all dairy products that made my head pound. Once I quit them, no more long hours lying in a darkened room, giving myself hell for an inability to heal. My rapid cycling anxiety/depression also evaporated when I paid attention to the needs of the gut in order to quell the pain in the brain.

Other personal triggers include caffeine, alcohol, and too much sugar. “What’s left to eat?” friends wail. Rice, millet, quinoa, buckwheat — delicious! Hemp milk nearly as creamy as cow’s. Agave is sweet without the spike. Kombucha or strong peppermint tea work for staying on the go.

Alas, the article ends with reassurances of medication-salvation — you guessed it, mood elevators and anti-depressants. Just pop the right pills, apparently. But are the side effects and difficult withdrawal really worth more than giving up bagels and cream cheese?