What are migraine triggers?
A migraine trigger is any environmental or physiological factor that leads to a headache in individuals who are prone to develop headaches. Only a small proportion of migraine sufferers, however, clearly can identify triggers. Examples of triggers include:
- stress,
- sleep disturbances,
- fasting,
- hormones,
- bright or flickering lights,
- odors,
- cigarette smoke,
- alcohol,
For some women, the decline in the blood level of estrogen during the onset of menstruation is a trigger for migraine headaches (sometimes referred to as menstrual migraines).
What should migraine sufferers do?
Individuals with mild and infrequent migraine headaches that do not cause disability may require only OTC analgesics. Individuals who experience several moderate or severe migraine headaches per month or whose headaches do not respond readily to medications should avoid triggers and consider modifications of their lifestyle. Lifestyle modifications for migraine sufferers include:
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day.
- Exercise regularly (daily if possible). Make a commitment to exercise even when traveling or during busy periods at work. Exercise can improve the quality of sleep and reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Build up your exercise level gradually. Over-exertion, especially for someone who is out of shape, can lead to migraine headaches.
- Do not skip meals, and avoid prolonged fasting.
- Limit stress through regular exercise and relaxation techniques.
- Limit caffeine consumption to less than two caffeine-containing beverages a day.
- Avoid bright or flashing lights and wear sunglasses if sunlight is a trigger.
- Identify and avoid foods that trigger headaches by keeping a headache and food diary. Review the diary with your doctor. It is impractical to adopt a diet that avoids all known migraine triggers; however, it is reasonable to avoid foods that consistently trigger migraine headaches.
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