Migraine Headache Triggers

Migraine headaches are less common than tension headaches. They affect twenty to thirty million people in the United States. Three out of four victims are women. Nobody knows the precise cause of migraine headache. Scientists suggest the cause is due to the disturbances in the central nervous system as the result of the immediate shift in the body or environment. You can't prevent it by avoiding the triggers. Not a single factor can initiate migraine headache. It generally involves a combination of factors such as physical, environment, diet, behavior, and pharmacology.

Physical factors such as intensive workout, uncomfortable posture, changes in sleep pattern (over sleep and too little sleep) menstruation, ovulation and ovarian cycles disorders can set off migraine headache. Women with migraine headaches reported that the migraines come a few days before, during and immediately after their periods. About 70% of the women said that their migraines are related to menstrual period. Skipping and irregular meals can also prompt migraine headaches.

Some pharmaceutical drugs such as estrogen replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, glyceryl trinitrate, theophylline, reserpine, nifedipine,indomethacin and cimetidine can worsen the headache. Benzodia zepine withdrawal and overuse of decongestant can aggravate the headache.

You cannot avoid the entire group of suspected food that trigger migraine headaches. It is a risk to do so as it has negative impact on other aspects of your well being. Moreover, by not eating enough or missing meals can lead to migraine headaches. Dietary foods that can initiate migraine headache are

• alcohol eg beer and red wine

• citrus food

• nuts

• cheese

• fermented food

• aspartame (artificial sweetener)

• processed and canned foods which contain monosodium glutamate, sodium nitrite and sulfites

• chocolate

• caffeine products

When you relax after a period of hard work, you may get migraine. Stress at work or home also can trigger migraines.

• Changes in environment can lead to migraine headache. These include

• high pressure conditions

• altitude level

• changes in season

• changes in time zone

• exposure to sun and glare

• noise

• bright and blinking lights

• unusual smell