DAO Test for migraine detection

The DAO Test for migraine detection helps identify the root cause of migraines and determine whether there is a deficiency in the DAO enzyme. This enzyme is directly related to our diet, so if it is indeed the cause of the migraines, adjusting dietary habits could help prevent—or even eliminate—migraine attacks.

Many patients have linked the consumption of certain foods to migraine episodes, and it's true that many foods contain histamine.

The accumulation of histamine in the blood can lead to various disorders, including migraines.

However, it is important to understand that the cause of the migraine is not the food itself, but rather a deficiency in the DAO enzyme, which is necessary to break down histamine.

Therefore, analyzing migraines through the DAO enzyme not only helps us identify the underlying cause of the condition but also enables the start of a treatment plan aimed at alleviating migraine symptoms.

Below, we explain everything you need to know about the DAO Test for analyzing migraines related to food intolerance.

Headache, or cephalalgia, is a common symptom of migraines. However, it is important not to confuse a regular headache with a migraine. There are 165 different types of headaches, and migraine is just one of them, affecting about 12–17% of the population.

Migraines are characterized by episodic attacks of moderate to severe or pulsating headaches. They typically affect one side of the head and can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours. Migraines are often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and sensitivity to sound (phonophobia).

Migraines have a multifactorial origin, and several genetic mutations have been identified as contributing factors. Some individuals do not produce sufficient amounts of the enzyme Diamine Oxidase (DAO), which means excess histamine cannot be properly broken down and may trigger a migraine attack.

Based on this, numerous studies have explored the link between food and migraines, leading to the identification of food histaminosis syndrome, where diet is considered a potential cause of migraines.

The role of histamine in food-related migraines

Histamine is a compound commonly found in everyday foods. Additionally, the human body produces histamine on its own, meaning we are exposed to it both through diet and endogenous synthesis. 

Eating foods that contain histamine is generally harmless, as the DAO enzyme is responsible for metabolizing it and keeping its levels under control.

However, when DAO enzyme activity is impaired, histamine is not properly eliminated and accumulates in the body, potentially leading to various disorders, including migraines.

In this case, the issue lies not with histamine itself, but with the enzyme responsible for breaking it down when it is in excess. Therefore, individuals with a DAO enzyme deficiency are more likely to suffer from migraine attacks.

Foods that contain histamine include:

• Dairy products
• Pork
• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• Banana
• Orange
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Chocolate
• Eggplant
• Tomato
• Spinach
• Alcoholic beverages

If you suspect your migraines may be linked to your diet, you can take the DAO Test to determine whether the enzyme is functioning properly. If a deficiency is detected, dietary adjustments can be made to help prevent future migraine attacks.

Operarme offers access to the DAO enzyme analysis at top-level laboratories such as Megalab and Unilabs. To take the test, simply book your appointment at the nearest hospital or lab in your city after purchasing the voucher.

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Diamine oxidase (DAO) is an enzyme the body uses to break down histamine. In some migraine patients, this enzyme does not function properly, even if the quantity of the enzyme appears to be normal.

When DAO activity is reduced by 25% to 40%, histamine begins to accumulate in the bloodstream.

This deficiency can have two main causes:

• Genetic: In this case, patients are born with a DAO enzyme deficiency inherited from their parents or other family members.

• External factors: Some individuals have been exposed to chemical treatments that block DAO activity. In these cases, the enzyme is impaired by an external factor.

Given these situations, patients who suffer from genetically inherited migraines cannot fully prevent migraine attacks, as they are born with the enzyme deficiency. However, they can manage their diet to help reduce the severity of the attacks.

In general, DAO enzyme supplementation is recommended, but only after confirming that the deficiency is indeed the cause of the migraine attacks.

The DAO Test for migraine detection is a blood test designed to determine whether migraine attacks have a dietary origin.

To do this, the level of DAO enzyme in the blood is measured. As you may know, the Diamine Oxidase (DAO) enzyme produced by our body is responsible for metabolizing a molecule called histamine, found in certain foods, within the intestine.

Once it is determined whether the migraines are food-related, a series of dietary recommendations can be prescribed to help prevent future attacks.

The DAO Test for migraine analysis includes:

• An 8-hour fasting period prior to the test.
• It is not performed on pregnant women, as histamine levels during pregnancy may alter the test results.
• Once the blood sample is collected and sent for analysis, the laboratory's team of experts will prepare a results report, which will be available in less than two weeks.
  

The team of geneticists will guide you through how to access your results:

• You will receive an access code to log into your private account.
• From there, you can check the status of your results report.
• If the report is not yet ready, it will appear as "pending."
• Finally, you will be given the phone number of the laboratory where you took the test, in case you have any questions while waiting for the results.

The DAO Test results will be available in 9 days.

Operarme works in collaboration with leading laboratories, so if you want to discover the origin of your migraine attacks, you can do so with us by clicking any “Purchase Service” button.

¿Do you need to perform a Migraine Detection test?

Make your purchase quickly and under Operarme guarantees at your nearest Megalab centre.

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