Migraine

Factors that cause a headache, especially for people who are prone to migraine are referred to as migraine triggers. Not all who suffer migraine, though, can identify what triggers their migraine headache. Some of the common migraine triggers include chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, aged cheeses, cigarette smoke, odors, stress, hunger, flickering or bright lights, disturbances on sleep and hormones, just to mention some. In some women, the estrogen level decline in the blood during the start of menstruation can trigger a migraine.

The gap or the time between the exposure to the trigger and the migraine episode can range from hours to up to two days, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that being exposed to the trigger can cause a migraine. In the same manner, avoiding a trigger cannot always prevent a headache from taking place. With regards to the various types of triggers, different people can react differently to them.

Sleep and migraine have a connection. Not having enough sleep, disturbances in sleeping patterns, poor sleep quality and frequent night awakenings are all associated with migraine headaches. Good sleeping habits can help lessen the frequency of migraine occurrence and have shown to shorten the duration of migraine headaches.

People who suffer from migraine should avoid fasting, as it can lower blood sugar and cause stress related hormones to be released.

Bright lights, flashing lights, television and even sunlight have been reported to trigger and cause headaches among certain migraine sufferers.

Many food products including carbonated cola drinks, coffee and tea as well as over the counter analgesics contain caffeine. High doses of caffeine can cause irritability and headaches. Others that have been reported to cause headaches among migraine sufferers include chocolate, red wine and monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Women sufferers of migraine headaches observe that they experience migraine frequently especially during their red days (menstrual period). For some women though they have what is referred to as “menstrual migraine” wherein they experience migraine a day or two prior to their menstrual period but otherwise do not suffer from such on other days. Decreased estrogen levels cause the menstrual migraine.

Mild migraine headaches may be treated with only over the counter analgesics. However, for those who frequently suffer from moderate and severe migraines, a lifestyle modification may be necessary and triggers should be avoided.

Simple things that could help include going to sleep and waking up at the same time everyday if possible. Regular exercise could also help. One of the ways to help lessen the occurrence of migraine as well as to reduce its severity would be exercising. Exercise also improves your quality of sleep.

As much as possible, meals should not be skipped. A number of things should be limited including the consumption of caffeine and most importantly stress. Being able to identify your trigger foods and keeping a food diary would be most helpful.