Migraine triggers include any factor that causes or aggravates migraine symptoms, from food (fermented or pickled items, chocolate and aged cheeses) and beverages to bright light or even over-the-counter pain medication. Common triggers may include fermented or pickled items; fermented cheese products; specific beverages including red wine; bright lights or even some over-the-counter pain medicines can all play a part.
Many people have discovered that changes to their daily routine can also serve as migraine triggers, including skipping meals, becoming too stressed out, or altering sleep patterns – all factors which may result in migraine symptoms.
1. Changes in your menstrual cycle
Women often report migraine triggers related to hormone fluctuations around the time of their menstrual cycle and during pregnancy or when taking hormonal medication. Fluctuations in estrogen is another common source of migraine headaches for many.
Not eating regularly and skipping meals are also key triggers of headaches. Food and drinks such as chocolate, cured or processed meats such as hot dogs and cheese may also cause headaches; along with MSG artificial sweeteners and caffeine.
Weather changes may also play a factor in migraine attacks; changes in humidity, temperature and air pressure can trigger migraine attacks for some individuals – possibly explaining why some women experience more migraine attacks when returning home after work and it is hot outside.
2. Changes in your sleep pattern
Migraine symptoms may be worsened by poor-quality sleep or lack thereof. Restorative sleep is important for everyone, but especially so for migraine sufferers.
If you are having difficulty sleeping, establishing a routine could help alleviate symptoms like stress, hormonal shifts and missing meals that contribute to insufficient rest. By creating a solid schedule that suits you well and following it faithfully, this may reduce triggers that contribute to insomnia such as stress or missing meals altogether.
Sleep can also help protect against foods and drinks known to trigger migraines, such as red wine, cheeses, cured meats, processed or artificial sweeteners, MSG and strong smells. Keep a diary or use an app to track when migraine symptoms surface so you can identify potential triggers.
3. Changes in your diet
Foods such as red wine, chocolate, caffeine (particularly in large doses), guacamole and onions may all trigger migraine attacks. Eating a diet rich in healthy oils, fruits and vegetables is often effective at helping avoid migraine attacks.
Hormonal fluctuations that arise prior and during menstruation cycles can trigger migraine headaches in women. For instance, fluctuations in estrogen may cause more frequent migraine attacks in these instances.
Drinking too little water may also trigger migraines for some individuals. Staying properly hydrated is important to avoiding dehydration and keeping blood sugar levels from rising or falling too dramatically, both of which are known migraine triggers. A food and migraine diary can help identify triggers; if a food or beverage seems likely to be the source of your discomfort, try eliminating it for one month then gradually reintroducing it one at a time to see if its presence contributes to migraine attacks.
4. Changes in your environment
Environmental triggers of migraine attacks for some sufferers may include changes in air quality, flickering lights, strong scents or intense sounds; changes to air quality; cheese, chocolate or citrus fruit could all act as potential migraine-inducers when consumed together with food; alcohol can also play a part.
Stress is one of the leading triggers of migraine headaches, according to Cleveland Clinic. This may be caused by emotional strain or sudden decreases in body chemicals that release during times of relaxation such as after an intensive week at work.
Some migraine sufferers report changes in barometric pressure as an inducer, including when moving between elevations or traveling on an airplane. Monitoring air quality and staying indoors during periods of high winds may help some individuals avoid these triggers.
5. Changes in your mood
Migraines are a neurological condition, and experts still do not fully comprehend why it occurs. But they know that mood fluctuations may trigger migraine attacks; stress, light, noise or smell triggers, physical activity, weather fluctuations or hormonal shifts may also trigger migraine attacks.
Changes in mood could be an indicator of depression or anxiety; therefore, seeking professional assistance if your emotions seem out of control is important.
Keep a migraine diary to identify potential triggers. For example, a young woman might notice her migraines increase when she skips meals, feels stressed out, or approaches menstruation time.
