Migraine triggers are anything that may prompt a headache to surface. While each person’s triggers vary, some common examples can include changes in hormones (particularly during menstruation), skipping meals or alcohol consumption, chocolate-rich food products like cheese or chocolate with artificial sweeteners, MSG or cured meats; poor sleeping habits including not getting enough or inconsistent rest; as well as not enough or inconsistent restful restful restful restful restful sleep habits.
1. Stress
Stress is one of the leading triggers of migraine headaches. Many sufferers find relief through lifestyle changes that reduce stress, such as exercise and eating balanced diet. Some also find relief by avoiding foods they believe to be triggers – cheese, chocolate or citrus fruit might seem like these would work, but these foods could actually become cravings before their migraine even begins.
Red wine, caffeine withdrawal, missing meals and traveling are also known to trigger migraines for some people. Weather changes such as humidity fluctuations, hot or cold weather changes, storms or shifts in barometric pressure may also bring on attacks for some individuals. Many women report their hormone levels are an aggravating factor as well as neck or back problems which can also trigger them.
2. Hormonal Changes
Women often cite hormonal fluctuations during their menstrual cycle as being a trigger of migraine attacks, with fluctuating estrogen levels impacting blood flow to the brain resulting in headaches. Hormones also play a part in initiating migraine attacks as well as worsening them during midlife; menopause’s dramatic drop-off in estrogen may trigger migraines for some.
As it can be difficult to discern between true triggers and early warning signals of impending headaches, many migraine sufferers notice an increase in appetite before their headache starts. It is also wise to steer clear of foods known to trigger migraine attacks like chocolate, cheese, processed or cured meats as well as foods with strong aromas which could increase migraine risk.
3. Changes in the Weather
Many people with migraines claim that weather changes trigger their attacks, but in truth this link between weather changes and migraines varies between individuals. While some research has demonstrated a correlation between changes in temperature, barometric pressure or humidity and migraine attacks being triggered, but this effect may not be so pronounced for everyone.
Spring brings about rapid changes to air humidity levels, which may trigger headaches for some individuals. And during summer, heat, sun glare, and changing sleep patterns may trigger migraines for others. By keeping track of your triggers, however, you can mitigate their effect and limit their impact. Keeping hydrated, eating regular meals, and getting enough rest are all ways of combatting seasonal changes that aggravate migraines.
4. Food
Many people who experience migraine headaches discover that certain foods such as aged cheeses, chocolate and citrus fruits can trigger attacks. Salty processed and junk foods as well as food additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG) or the artificial sweetener aspartame may also exacerbate an attack.
Sleep disruption and fluctuating stress levels are frequent triggers of migraine, and missing or skipping meals could even bring on an attack, so it’s essential that we consume regularly throughout the day.
Some individuals also find caffeine to be a trigger of migraine headaches, so gradually decreasing consumption of coffee, tea, soda and other caffeinated drinks may help. Although eliminating all sources of caffeine may help, abstaining entirely may not.
5. Changes in Sleep
People suffering migraines tend to be hypersensitive to various food additives and chemicals, including food that contains histamine, MSG, processed meats or certain sweeteners – often known as migraine triggers.
Some medications, like aspirin and ibuprofen, can trigger migraine attacks in some individuals. If your medication could be an potential migraine trigger, consult with your physician regarding alternative remedies.
Migraine triggers are difficult to pinpoint precisely, making it hard to know exactly what causes a headache. Therefore, keeping a headache diary and tracking symptoms closely may help identify patterns – for instance if attacks seem more likely during weekends this could mean that work-related stress or caffeine withdrawal could be triggers; alternatively it could indicate something entirely different! It could even be that more than one trigger may be at work simultaneously!
