Migraine triggers may come from anywhere and build over time until they cross your threshold and trigger headache symptoms.
Keep a journal and track your symptoms to identify possible migraine triggers, which could include weather changes, food and drink, stressors, odors, hormones (from menstruation or birth control pills), as well as sensory stimuli.
Weather
Many people suffering from migraines report that changes in weather as one of their triggers, including heat, humidity, cold temperatures, storms and changes in barometric pressure. Heat and humidity have also been linked to dehydration which may exacerbate attacks.
Other triggers could be bright lights, loud noises and strong odors; stress can also play a factor. Sleep disturbances, missing meals, and forgoing medications like birth control pills may all increase headache risk. Many find avoiding foods containing tyramine or MSG such as aged cheese, processed meats, and some cheeses may help avoid migraine attacks, while forgoing certain medicines such as oral contraceptives and vasodilators is beneficial in this regard.
Migraines run in families; up to 80% of people who experience migraines have first-degree biological relatives with the condition. Hormonal changes could also play a part in trigger migraine attacks during first trimester pregnancy and menopause, possibly contributing to them as a precursor.
Food
People often point to foods as possible migraine triggers, including chocolate, cheese and citrus fruits. However, not all foods are equal: alcohol may trigger an attack for some if their immune system reacts badly to sulfites found in wine or tyramine levels raised through fermentation process in beer; processed or cured meat diets may also have this effect; some individuals also report that MSG, sucralose (Splenda(r), artificial sweeteners as well as yellow dye #5 and red dye #26 are migraine triggers.
An aid in pinpointing potential food and drink triggers for migraine attacks is to keep a headache diary. An elimination diet in which suspected culprits are removed for several weeks before slowly being introduced back in again can also assist in finding potential migraine triggers.
Drink
People living with migraine are advised to avoid alcohol, as its potential triggers could potentially bring on migraine attacks. Although its cause remains elusive, multiple factors could contribute to its effect.
Alcohol can make you dehydrated when combined with caffeine or carbonated drinks, increasing inflammation in the body. Furthermore, alcohol contains substances called congeners from fermentation processes which have been known to trigger migraine attacks; darker beverages like red wine and whiskey contain more congeners that could trigger attacks.
Keep a migraine diary to help identify triggers and manage them effectively. Establish a regular sleep pattern so you get enough restful slumber.
Sleep
Studies have demonstrated the relationship between poor sleep and an increase in migraine risks, and disruptions to central nervous system structures and neurotransmitters necessary for normal sleep architecture as well as managing migraine pathophysiology. Researchers don’t yet fully understand what causes this connection but speculate it could be down to central nervous system issues and neurotransmitter regulation as factors governing migraine pathophysiology.
Researchers have also identified that one brain region, known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus, could play a key role in connecting sleep and migraines. Scientists believe that this area oversees your internal clock; any disruption of this rhythm could trigger migraines.
Keep a diary to help identify your triggers. Some individuals have particular triggers, like bright lights, loud noises or strong scents; for others however, multiple factors are involved – for example one young woman found that her migraine attacks tend to come on when she skips meals and becomes stressed as well as around menstruation time.
