Ask Dr Mel: Migraines and magnesium deficiency

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Every week we bring you advice from Woman's Weekly's health expert Dr Melanie Wynne-Jones. Mel is a GP with 27 years' experience, and is senior partner in a surgery in Stockport. Here she answers your questions on Migraine and Magnesium deficiency

Q. As a migraine sufferer, am more likely to have a stroke? How can I cut my risk?

A. If you don't get an aura with your migraine (eg, vision disturbance or pins and needles before the migraine strikes), then your risk isn't significantly affected, according to US research studies.

If you do get an aura, your risk is doubled, but it's still small. But, the results suggested that some people are at greater risk, particularly women (especially those taking the Pill), the under-45s and smokers. Our family history and age can also affect our risk of stroke.

I'd advise you not to smoke and to avoid the oral contraceptive pill if you get an aura. High blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also increase your risk, so get those checked at least every five years, and eat a balanced diet, high in fruit and veg, low in salt and saturated or hydrogenated fats, and stick to recommended limits for alcohol. Try to exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week.

Q My sister, who has Crohn's disease, has been told she has a low magnesium level in her blood. Should I get my level checked?

A Magnesium deficiency can lead to muscle twitching, abnormal movements and, if severe, life-threatening disturbances in the heart rhythm; it's treated with intravenous magnesium supplements.

Anyone eating a healthy, balanced diet should be getting enough magnesium - it's found in leafy green veg, nuts, bread, fish, meat and dairy foods. But deficiency can develop in people who have intestinal conditions that make it difficult to absorb nutrients, or who have bowel inflammation such as Crohn's or ulcerative colitis.

Low levels can also occur in alcohol dependence (due to poor diet), prolonged vomiting, severe, uncontrolled diabetes and diseases of the parathyroid glands in the neck, which help to regulate magnesium and calcium levels. Deficiency doesn't run in families so you don't need to have your levels checked.

Too high a magnesium level can cause muscle weakness, electrical abnormalities in the heart, and confusion. It's usually caused by acute kidney failure. But, it can also be caused by too much lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder), an under-active thyroid, or combining having too much milk and dairy products with excessive amounts of antacid medicines.

Note: Advice given here is for general information only and is correct on date of publication 5th January 2010 but may be subject to change. Please seek help from your own GP if you have a medical problem.

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