Migraine and Migraine Triggers
Migraine is a pulsating headache (often one-sided) that affects sensitive people from time to time. Exact cause is not known, but it run in families.
Several migraine triggers were reported by sensitive individuals so far, but practically none of them was proven by clinical trials. This may mean that the main problem might be in individual sensitivity rather than in triggers themselves.
Migraine triggers include:
ESTROGEN LEVEL CHANGES IN WOMEN
Changes in estrogen level during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause or puberty may trigger migraine headache in sensitive women. Some women report migraine relief during pregnancy, though.
FOODS AND DRINKS
- Drinks, especially red wine, beer and dark alcohols, like whiskey can trigger migraines
- Coffee and other caffeinated drinks
- Overripe avocados and bananas, if overripe, oranges, grapefruit
- Beans
- Home baked bread on the basis of yeast
- Nuts and seeds of all kinds
- Aged cheeses
- Processed meats, like hot dogs and cold cuts
- Frozen foods, pre-prepared soups
- Chocolate
- Soy sauce
Food Ingredients and Additives as Migraine Triggers
- Aspartame
- Caffeine
- Gluten
- Histamine
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Sodium nitrite/nitrate
- Sulfites
- Tannins
- Tartrazine or yellow dye #5
- Tyramine
- Tyrosine
- Yeast
Migraine Related to Eating Habits
- Large meals or skipped meals can trigger migraine headache.
- Dehydration, mainly due to not drinking enough water
STRESS
- Strong emotions, unresolved memories, anxiety or depression can all trigger migraine.
- Vacations after a heavy work can trigger migraine due to a sudden decrease in stress.
SENSORY STIMULI
- Intense lights, sounds, smells or smoke can trigger migraine.
LACK OF SLEEP
- Lack of sleep or changed sleeping rhythm can trigger migraine.
PHYSICAL CAUSES
- Overexertion, eye strain, travel or sexual activity can trigger migraine.
ENVIRONMENT
- A change of weather or weather extremes may trigger migraine in sensitive individuals.
HEALTH DISORDERS
- Hypoglycemia (common in diabetes) or vitamin B12 deficiency may trigger migraine
MEDICATIONS
- Ibuprofen, nitroglycerin, aspirin or sleeping tablets are known migraine triggers.
Can Migraine Be Prevented?
To prevent migraine, avoid:
- Birth control pills
- Processed meats, canned foods, aged cheeses
- Alcohol, caffeine
- Excessive physical effort
- Excessive emotional stress
Try to maintain regular eating and sleeping pattern and try to do what you think is right and good for you.
More details about migraine triggers
Tags: Beans, Chocolate, Coffee, Drinks, Headache, Migraine, Tannins