The management of migraine headaches includes identification of certain events or things that can be associated with your migraines. These are called triggers. Migraine triggers are different for each person and it is usually a combination of triggers that can make people more likely to experience a migraine. The brain of a migraine patient is sensitive to any type of change, whether in your body or in the environment, and exposure to certain triggers can set off a migraine headache. Here are some common triggers of migraine.

Foods: Alcohol (red wine), artificial sweeteners (like NutraSweet), caffeine, citrus fruits, MSG (found in canned foods, Chinese food, salad dressing), nitrates (found in processed meats like deli meat, hot dogs), nuts, skipping meals

Hormones: menstruation, ovulation, menopause, pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy

Lifestyle: stress (anger, depression), changes in sleep pattern (not keeping a regular sleep schedule), dehydration, lack of exercise

Environmental: bright or flickering lights, high altitudes, strong odors (perfumes or cleaning agents), tobacco smoke, weather changes

Try to recognize any potential triggers that you think may cause your migraine attacks. You should record what you think could be a trigger in a headache diary or calendar and review it with your doctor at your next visit. Women should also remember to write down their menstrual cycle to see if this is associated with migraines. Sometimes one type of trigger may not always cause a migraine headache. It is usually exposure to two or more triggers that may make migraine patients more vulnerable to a migraine. For example, eating a hot dog and drinking red wine during menstruation may trigger a migraine. Simple things like drinking plenty of water, eating regular meals, exercising, and a regular sleep schedule (same time to bed each night, and waking up at the same time each morning), can also be helpful for decreasing the number of migraine headaches you experience. Keeping a healthy lifestyle and knowing what your triggers are may help prevent your migraines attacks from happening.