Migraine triggers are anything that causes headaches in people who suffer from them, be it one thing or multiple factors. They could include something as simple as food or as complex as multiple stimuli coming together at the same time to trigger their headache.
Food and drinks are among the primary causes of migraine headaches, including aged cheeses, alcohol, chocolate and anything containing nitrates such as pepperoni, hot dogs or lunch meat that contains them as well as some preservatives and additives. Other triggers can include hormone changes, sleep disturbances or weather changes.
1. Too much caffeine
If caffeine sensitivity is an issue for you, caffeine could trigger migraines. Caffeine acts as a vasoconstrictor which constricts blood vessels and can result in headaches; furthermore it has also been identified as an active trigger of migraine attacks; withdrawal triggers when stopped taking caffeine may also increase.
Also contributing to headaches may be aged cheeses, alcohol and chocolate; food additives including nitrates (found in pepperoni and other lunchmeats) and monosodium glutamate (MSG); skipping meals or changes to your sleeping pattern can cause headaches as well.
Stress and hormonal fluctuations during menstruation or perimenopause are well-known triggers of migraines. A headache diary may help identify your triggers by recording each time a headache strikes and its duration, duration and cause. You might then try identifying patterns – like getting enough restful sleep and eating regular meals regularly as well as avoiding foods or beverages that might set off headaches.
2. Changes in your sleep schedule
Sleep plays an integral part in migraine management. Ensuring adequate quality rest is of the utmost importance; any changes to your sleeping pattern could leave you more susceptible to migraine headaches.
Staying consistent in terms of both sleeping and waking times each day can help people who suffer migraines to prevent further attacks. Furthermore, cutting back on screen time such as television and cell phone usage before and during sleep may also prove effective in alleviating their discomfort.
Bright or flashing lights, loud noises and strong odors are well-known migraine triggers. Neck pain may also play a part in migraine attacks due to poor posture or slouching; some women even get migraines during their period due to changes in hormones.
Stress is another common trigger for migraine headaches, and biofeedback, relaxation therapy, meditation, and exercise are effective coping mechanisms for mitigating it. Medication to lower stress levels or acupuncture may also prove effective; for those who experience menstrual migraines however birth control pills can help regulate estrogen and progesterone levels to decrease headache frequency and decrease headache duration.
3. Changes in the weather
Weather fluctuations are a frequent cause of migraine headaches, though their exact impact is difficult to pin down as changes often coexist with other triggers like bright lights or loud noises. Furthermore, each migraine sufferer experiences pain differently making it even harder to understand exactly what might cause their discomfort.
Stormy weather can often be described as an trigger for migraine headaches due to changes in barometric pressure causing blood vessels to widen and release serotonin, leading to visual auras and head pain. Furthermore, dry conditions (such as during chinook winds) may contribute to dehydration which further exacerbate the situation.
Identification of triggers may help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks, but even eliminating them won’t guarantee no further attacks. Making healthy choices like getting enough sleep, not skipping meals and staying hydrated can have an enormous effect. You could also try relaxation techniques or medication as ways of mitigating symptoms.
4. Stress
Stress is one of the primary triggers of migraine attacks. Stressful situations may result in sleep issues, missed meals and dehydration – as well as muscle tension which increases migraine attacks in women during menstruation or menopause; additionally it has been reported to affect hormone levels with more migraines occurring during pregnancy and lower estrogen/progesterone levels post menopause.
Studies are mixed, yet research strongly points towards a correlation between stress and migraines and migraine attacks. This could be caused by stressful events releasing certain chemicals which trigger migraine symptoms; or it could even be combined triggers, like skipping meals after a stressful workday followed by relaxing over the weekend; in these instances avoiding triggers can help avoid future attacks, while keeping a food diary and slowly trying out foods can also help control symptoms more effectively.
