10 Factors That Can Trigger A Migraine

By Author: Monica Quinn
Total Articles: 65
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Migraine is a disease that can cause severe throbbing or pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine is more than just a headache. It is a complex neurological condition that can cause a variety of symptoms. Here you can find 10 factors that can trigger a migraine

1. Stress
Stress is the most common migraine trigger. It causes attacks in 70% of patients. Studies show that 50 to 70% of people report a link between daily stress and migraines. Managing stress levels is a great method of migraine prevention.

2. Insufficient or poor sleep
The link between sleep and migraines is undeniable. Almost everyone would experience a headache after a sleepless night. You need restful sleep to repair all parts of the body, including the brain. If you don't get enough sleep or sleep intermittently, you become more prone to migraines.

3. Light
Too much natural and artificial light is a reasonably common migraine trigger. Hypersensitivity ...
... to light is called photophobia, and it is one of the criteria for diagnosing migraine. If you have photophobia, you are not afraid of light, but you are extremely sensitive to it. The sun or intense interior lighting can be unpleasant, if not painful.

4. Weather changes
Stormy weather, excessive heat, changes in atmospheric pressure - all of these weather changes can trigger a migraine attack. Even though we can’t control the weather, we can still adjust our daily schedule so that external influences affect us as little as possible.

5. Hormonal changes
Throughout life, women experience much more hormonal fluctuations than men. Therefore, jokes about frequent female migraines are not so funny. Women are 3 times more likely to suffer from migraines. 75% of women suffer from migraines during PMS and menstruation. For the same reason, migraines can occur during pregnancy.

6. Some odors
Some tastes and odors can activate nerve receptors that trigger migraine attacks. A common symptom of migraine is osmophobia or intolerance to odors. If you suffer from migraines, avoid strong-smelling perfumes, and do not use flavored products in the home. Household chemicals or a strong-smelling grocery store can also trigger a migraine attack.

7. Physical activity
A headache can be caused by and only occur during or after intense exercise. This is known as exercise headache (formerly known as exertional headache) and can continue from around 5 minutes to 48 hours after the exercise. It is more common in hot weather or at high altitudes.

8. Chocolate
Despite its proven benefits for the body, chocolate is a migraine trigger. Some specialists say that chocolate can actually trigger a migraine attack if you are sensitive to the product. It is thought to impact around 22% of migraine sufferers. Chocolate includes caffeine as well as beta-phenylethylamine, which can cause headaches in certain people.

9. Alcohol
The fact that alcohol provokes various types of diseases has been understood for a long time. A number of substances contained in it, especially in red wine, are among the main triggers. It is believed that alcohol causes migraines in about 10% of people suffering from this disease.

10. Overwork
Symptoms of fatigue may include headaches, increased tiredness, irritability, nervousness, and sleep disturbances. In addition, fatigue can be accompanied by chronic oxygen deficiency and nervous system disorders. Overwork can provoke the onset or exacerbation of diseases such as migraine.

The bottom line
Migraine is a complex disease. In the absence of properly chosen treatment, its attacks become more frequent and intense, disrupting the usual rhythm of life. Therefore, at the first manifestations of the disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will determine the right therapy and reduce the intensity of the attacks.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)