Avoiding Triggers
“Triggers” are specific factors that may increase your risk of having a migraine attack. The migraine sufferer has inherited a sensitive nervous system that under certain circumstances, can lead to migraine.
Triggers do not “cause” migraine. Instead, they are thought to activate processes that cause migraine in people who are prone to the condition. A certain trigger will not induce a migraine in every person; and, in a single migraine sufferer, a trigger may not cause a migraine every time. By keeping a headache diary, you will be able to identify some triggers for your particular headaches.
Once you have identified triggers, it will be easier for you to avoid them and reduce your chances of having a migraine attack.
Common Triggers
The science linking triggers to migraine is not yet clearly established. Nonetheless, patients commonly report that they have migraine triggers.
Categories | Triggers | Examples |
Dietary | Skipping meals/fasting Food Items |
MSG (monosodium glutamate) Chocolate Processed meats (containing nitrates) Aged cheese Alcohol/red wine Too much caffeine |
Medications | Nitroglycerine | |
Chronobiology | Change in sleep patterns | Napping Oversleeping Too little sleep |
Environmental | Weather changes | Extreme heat or cold |
Bright lights | Office lighting | |
Odors/pollution | Smog, perfumes, chemicals Flashing lights or screens |
|
Hormonal | Estrogen level changes (rapid fluctuations in estrogen levels) | Menstruation Hormone replacement therapies Birth control pills Around the time of menopause |
Stress | Work | Unrealistic timelines |
Home | Financial issues | |
Family | Job changes Moving Childbirth Marriage Death/loss |
|
Stress Letdown | Discontinuation of work | Weekends Vacations Ending a project or stressful task (such as a presentation) |
Physical | Injuries | Marathon running |
Over-exertion | Exercising when out of shape Exercising in heat |