Migraine headaches are painful and debilitating. They’re often unpredictable and difficult to treat, but understanding the triggers behind your migraine attacks can reduce their frequency and severity. Here are 15 common migraine triggers.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common migraine triggers. It can be caused by external and internal factors, like impossible deadlines at work, relationship issues, financial worries, and other life changes. You can manage stress through relaxation techniques or counseling services.
Missed Meals
Skipping meals or fasting can trigger a migraine attack. When you don’t eat, your blood sugar levels drop, causing headaches and other symptoms. Maintain regular meal times and keep handy snacks so you don’t experience hypoglycemia-related migraines.
SleepÂ
Sleeping less than usual can cause migraines, and sleeping more than normal after being sleep-deprived can also be a risk factor. To prevent this, aim to get at least seven hours of restful and uninterrupted sleep every night and adhere to a consistent sleep routine.
Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeine causes your blood vessels to expand and contract, leading to headaches. And excessive consumption leads to withdrawal symptoms like migraines if you skip or decide to stop taking caffeinated drinks. These symptoms occur because your blood vessels get used to the predictable dose and can’t function properly without it.Â
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations in both men and women can set off migraines. Factors like monthly menstruation, aging, puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or taking birth control pills can cause these changes.
Weather Changes
Sudden changes in the weather, especially barometric pressure drops due to storms or changing seasons, build tension between the sinuses, causing a chemical imbalance that triggers a migraine attack. Stay alert to weather forecasts and take medications if you sense early-onset migraine symptoms.
Smell
Strong odors, like smoke, perfume, cleaning products, and paint, can initiate migraines. If you have a sensitive sense of smell, limit your exposure to strong scents or use an air filter to remove them.Â
NoiseÂ
Migraines can result from exposure to sudden loud noises or persistent low-level noise. Wear hearing protection or earplugs in noisy surroundings and take medication at the onset of a migraine attack to alleviate symptoms.
Flickering Lights
People sensitive to light can experience migraines from flickering lights because it causes changes in the brain. Also, flashing lights can cause eye strain and fatigue, which contributes to the development of migraines. To avoid triggering migraines, stay away from places with flickering lights or wear sunglasses.
Alcohol
Consumption of alcohol results in changes in serotonin levels in the brain and causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate, leading to migraines. Although any alcoholic drink can trigger a migraine, red wine might be the most common culprit.
Food Additives
Monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, and artificial sweeteners are all food additives that can trigger migraines by affecting the brain and nervous system. Processed meats like bacon and hot dogs contain these additives and artificial sweeteners like aspartame.Â
Dehydration
Not drinking enough water or other fluids can lead to dehydration, a common cause of migraines. Try drinking at least eight glasses of water daily and carrying a bottle when out.Â
Rigorous ExerciseÂ
Exercise is vital for overall health, but when done in excess, it may result in migraine attacks due to dehydration, fatigue, and sudden blood sugar drop. Take breaks during your workout and ease yourself into exercise programs gradually.Â
High Temperatures
High temperatures can cause migraine headaches, especially in humid weather conditions. Take cool showers or baths to cool down your body temperature, stay in an air-conditioned environment during summer days, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.Â
Neck Pain
Neck pain linked to migraines is likely due to activation of the trigeminal cervical complex (nerves that transmit pain signals from the neck and face to the brain), leading to changes that cause migraines. Adjust your pillows or sleep position, and ensure good posture while working at your computer or looking at your phone to prevent this.
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