Common Triggers for Migraines

Common Triggers for Migraines

For most people, everyday things could trigger a migraine headache. Something as familiar as medications, foods, drinks, bright lights, smells, hormones, and hunger could also cause migraines. To help you know what triggers migraines, we have listed the top triggers for migraines. This list will help you narrow down the cause of migraines.  

Common triggers for migraines

  • Stress
    For 70% of people who suffer from migraines, stress is the biggest trigger of a migraine attack. People often feel stressed about their next migraine attack, making it an exhausting and vicious cycle. 
  • Alcohol and caffeine
    Both alcohol and caffeine are top triggers for migraines. Among the two, caffeine is a debatable trigger. Some people claim that the consumption of coffee relieves them from the symptoms of migraine. Moreover, a few medications that are designed to treat migraines have caffeine content in them. So, if caffeine is causing migraines, you find that out by an elimination method.  
  • Dehydration
    Approximately 33% of people complain of a migraine attack because of dehydration. In some people, dehydration can lead to a debilitating headache. Dehydration should never be ignored, as it impacts the body on every level and can lead to confusion, dizziness, and aggravate a health emergency. 
  • Hormones
    Studies prove that women are thrice as vulnerable to a migraine attack as opposed to men. Moreover, three out of four women experience these attacks when they are on their periods. It is known as the menstrual migraine, which occurs because of the progesterone and estrogen level alterations. 
  • Unusual sleep pattern
    There is an undeniable connection between sleep schedule and migraine attacks. A good night’s sleep is responsible for relaxing the body and the brain. So, anytime your sleep schedule is irregular, you are prone to migraines. Unfortunately, 50% of the migraine headaches arise between 4:00 AM to 9:00 AM. It increases the risk of hampering your sleep schedule. 
  • Smell
    There are a few aromas that can stimulate the nerve receptors in the olfactory passage. These might trigger an attack of migraine. If you are already experiencing a migraine attack, the smells will only make it worse. It is known as osmophobia and is a key migraine symptom.
  • Light
    For a lot of migraine sufferers, light is a trigger. It is known as photophobia and is a key criterion used in the diagnosis of migraine. Natural lights, fluorescent lights, flickering lights, and bright lights can also trigger some people’s migraines. 
  • Weather changes
    Excessive heat, storms, or changes in the atmosphere’s pressure are a few common migraine triggers. Heat and high humidity can cause dehydration and, in turn, trigger a migraine attack.  

If you experience a migraine attack because of any of these triggers, visit a doctor immediately.