Wednesday, 22 July 2015

What are migraine triggers?

Migraine Headache 

What are migraine triggers?


Many factors have been identified as migraine triggers.
  • The normal hormone fluctuations which occur with regular menstrual cycles may predispose some women to experience migraine headaches.
  • Some types of oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can trigger migraines.
  • Various foods such as:
    • Red wines
    • Aged cheeses
    • Preservatives used in smoked meats (nitrates)
    • Monosodium glutamate
    • Artificial sweeteners
    • Chocolate
    • Dairy products
  • Oversleeping
  • Alcohol beverages
  • Stress
  • Exposure to strong stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or strong smells.
Changes in barometric pressure have been described as leading to migraine headaches.
Not every individual who has migraines will experience a headache when exposed to these triggers. If a person is unsure what his or her specific triggers might be, maintaining a headache diary can be beneficial to identify those individual factors which lead to migraine.

The specific cause of migraines is not known, but there may be fluctuations in certain neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages between brain cells. These changes may predispose some people to develop migraine headaches.

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