Migraine triggers and mitigating your risk

When autumn arrives, most people think about the itchy eyes and runny nose of seasonal allergies. But did you know that the change of seasons can also cause migraine headaches? In this post, we’ll discuss this and more migraine triggers, as well as reducing instances of these painful events.
 

What can trigger a migraine headache?

Triggers are things that can cause a migraine headache to start and are different for each person. Triggers can be foods, hormones, changes in daily routine, medicines, lights, odors and other things in the environment. Strong emotions, such as depression or anxiety, can also be triggers. Triggers are different for each person.
 

What is a migraine?

Migraines are painful, throbbing headaches that often start on one side of the head. They may cause nausea and vomiting and make you sensitive to light, sound or smell.
 

Identifying migraine triggers

Common migraine triggers include:

• Stress (during the stressful time or right after the stress is relieved)
• Menstrual cycle
• Changes in your routine
• Fasting or skipping meals
• Changes in the weather, heat or high humidity
• Bright lights, glare or reflected sunlight
• Certain foods, such as foods with nitrates, like hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts
• Alcohol
• Strong odors such as perfume, paint, dust or flowers
• Sleeping more or less than you usually do
• Aspartame

If you aren’t sure, and want to identify your migraine triggers, you can try the following methods:

• Use a headache diary to keep track of what you do each day. Write down what you eat and drink, the stress you feel, the weather and other factors that might influence your symptoms.
• Pay attention to your daily routines, like how much exercise and sleep you get.

These tools might help you start to see patterns to what triggers your headaches. Then you can make changes to avoid or manage those factors.
 

Preventing migraine headaches

These triggers can really add up, but once you know the conditions that contribute to discomfort, you can make adjustments to reduce the risk. Depending on the trends attached to your migraines, some of these shifts might help you find relief:

• Live a healthy lifestyle.
  • Get regular sleep.
  • Eat healthy foods at regular times.
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Avoid foods that may trigger your headaches.
     
• Get regular exercise.
  • Be careful to not push yourself too hard. It may trigger a headache.
     
• Take medicines that prevent migraines.
   
• Don't take medicine for headache pain too often.
  • Talk to your doctor if you are taking medicine more than two days a week to stop a headache, as this practice can cause medicine-overuse headaches.
     
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
  • Migraines are most common during or right after stressful times. Try finding ways to reduce stress like practicing mindfulness or deep breathing exercises.
     
• Ask your doctor about trying herbs and supplements.
  • Some people find that magnesium and riboflavin (vitamin B2) help prevent migraine headaches.
     
• Try acupuncture or biofeedback.
  • Some people find that these can help reduce how many migraines they have or how bad the migraines are.
     

Treating migraines

Without treatment, migraines can last from four hours to a few days. Medicines can help prevent migraines or stop them after they have started. Your doctor can help you find which ones work best for you.

When a migraine starts:

• Stop what you are doing and take your medicine. Don't wait for it to get worse.
• Rest in a quiet, dark room.
• Don't watch TV or read.
• Try putting a cold, moist cloth on the painful area.
• If possible, have someone gently massage your neck and shoulders.

When to seek medical attention

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, if:

• You have a sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
• You have symptoms of a stroke like:
  • Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Sudden trouble speaking.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
  • Sudden problems with walking or balance.

Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have a fever and a stiff neck.
• You have new or worse nausea and vomiting, or you cannot keep down food or fluids.
• Your headaches get worse, happen more often, or change in some way.
• You have new symptoms.
• You have any problems with your medicine, your medicine isn't helping your headaches or you are using your medicine more often than prescribed.
• Your life is disrupted by your headaches. For example, you often miss work, school or other activities.
• You are not getting better as expected.

 

If you struggle with migraines, contact your primary care provider to see if a referral to Parkview Neurosciences would be right for you. Learn more about Parkview neurosciences at parkview.com/neuro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.