9 Surprising migraine triggers you might be overlooking. Migraines are painful and debilitating conditions that can have a major impact on your quality of life
While there are many known migraine triggers that people are aware of, there are often some surprising ones that you might be overlooking.
In this blog post, we’ll look at 9 migraine triggers that you may not be aware of and discuss the potential treatment options, home remedies, and prevention strategies for managing them.
Migraine Triggers You Might Be Overlooking
1) Bright or flashing lights
Many people don’t realize that bright or flashing lights can be a potential migraine trigger. Even though light may not seem like it should cause such an intense headache, the overstimulation of the eyes and brain can contribute to migraine pain.
This is especially true if someone is already feeling stressed, is sensitive to smells or changes in the weather, or has fluctuating hormones.
In some cases, intense light can even make existing food triggers more likely to cause a migraine. If you’re prone to migraines, it’s best to avoid any kind of overly bright or flashing light, whether it’s from the sun, television, or computer screens.
2) Strong smells
Strong smells can be a trigger for migraine headaches. Certain odors, like perfumes, certain types of cleaning agents, or cigarette smoke, can cause a headache to start.
This is because the brain interprets strong smells as a threat, and the resulting response can be painful.
If you notice that a certain smell makes your head hurt, try to avoid it and see if your symptoms improve.
It may be helpful to keep a headache diary to help track which smells are triggering your headaches.
This way you can learn what smells to avoid in order to prevent a migraine attack. If you have trouble avoiding certain smells due to your environment, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about treatment options for controlling your symptoms.
3) Weather changes
It is common for the weather to trigger migraine headaches. Changes in barometric pressure, humidity, and temperature can all trigger migraines.
Temperature changes, severe storms, high humidity, and barometric pressure changes are examples of weather-related triggers, as are windy or stormy conditions, bright sunlight, and rapid changes in weather.
People with migraines often keep track of their headaches in a journal to help them identify potential triggers, including changes in the weather.
While it’s not always possible to predict or avoid weather-related triggers, if you notice a pattern with your headaches, try avoiding those situations when possible.
Treatment options for migraine headaches related to weather changes usually involve taking medication as soon as you notice the first signs of a headache.
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin can provide relief from migraine pain. Some people find that herbal supplements such as butterbur or feverfew can help reduce the frequency and intensity of their migraines.
Prevention is key when it comes to migraine headaches caused by weather changes. Make sure you are getting enough sleep and staying hydrated throughout the day.
Wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from bright sunlight. If you experience frequent headaches, talk to your doctor about what lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent migraines.
4) Too much or too little sleep
It’s not always clear why, but getting too much or too little sleep can be a trigger for migraines in some people.
Sleeping more than nine hours per night or less than six hours can increase the risk of developing migraines, according to the American Migraine Foundation.
Even going to bed and waking up at different times each day can be a trigger.
If you find yourself having frequent migraines, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re getting enough quality sleep.
Establishing a regular sleeping schedule can help keep migraines at bay. Make sure to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day and make sure you’re getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.
You may also want to try avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime and make your bedroom dark, cool, and comfortable to promote better sleep.
If you continue to struggle with insomnia or other sleep issues, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about potential treatments.
5) Dehydration
Dehydration can be a surprisingly common migraine trigger. Many migraine sufferers find that even slight dehydration can be enough to trigger a migraine.
Dehydration can be caused by not drinking enough water or not replenishing electrolytes after intense exercise. It can also be a result of increased urination due to certain medications or excessive alcohol consumption.
If you are prone to migraines, it’s important to stay hydrated. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, and drink more water after exercising.
In addition, avoiding caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda, which can lead to dehydration, may help prevent migraines. Electrolyte drinks, such as Gatorade, can also be helpful for replacing minerals and hydration levels quickly.
Finally, keep an eye on any medications you’re taking and the side effects they might have on your hydration levels. If your medications are causing frequent urination, speak to your doctor about other options that might not dehydrate you as much.
6) Hunger
Hunger is one of the most common triggers of migraines. When we don’t eat, our blood sugar levels drop and this can trigger a migraine attack.
To prevent this from happening, it’s important to make sure you are eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day.
If you find that skipping meals often leads to a migraine, try planning ahead and packing snacks like fruit or nuts with you so you don’t get too hungry while out.
It’s also a good idea to eat a few hours before bedtime as going to sleep on an empty stomach can also cause migraines.
7) Stress
Stress is a common trigger of migraines, especially if you’re prone to them. A recent study has linked the presence of the stress hormone cortisol with migraine onset.
It’s not always easy to identify when stress is triggering your migraine, because it doesn’t always coincide with big events or moments of stress in your life. Even small changes in your daily routine can contribute to stress and lead to a migraine attack.
In order to reduce the chances of stress-induced migraines, it’s important to practice healthy stress management techniques.
This might include talking to a counselor or therapist, practicing yoga or mindfulness, or engaging in other calming activities like reading or painting.
If stress is an issue for you, it might be beneficial to look into relaxation therapies such as massage therapy or acupuncture.
If you’re already feeling stressed and experiencing migraine symptoms, there are some steps you can take to relieve your pain. Taking time for yourself and engaging in deep breathing exercises can help to reduce the intensity of your symptoms.
You may also want to try an ice pack on the back of your neck or over your eyes, as this can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
8) Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes can be one of the most overlooked migraine triggers, yet they are a common cause of migraines in many people. A variety of hormones can trigger a migraine, such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Women may experience an increase in migraines just before or during their menstrual cycle due to the fluctuating levels of these hormones.
Additionally, other hormone-related events such as pregnancy, menopause, and perimenopause may also trigger migraines.
If you suspect hormonal changes are triggering your migraines, it’s important to talk to your doctor. There are medications available that can help reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraine attacks.
Also, certain lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly, managing stress levels, avoiding alcohol, and eating a healthy diet may help reduce your risk of experiencing migraine attacks triggered by hormonal changes.
9) Certain foods and drinks
Certain meals and beverages are known to cause migraines in certain people. Common offenders include:
– Alcoholic beverages, notably red wine and beer
– Caffeine, particularly when eaten in excessive quantities
– Aspartame, a synthetic sweetener prevalent in sugar-free goods.
– Nitrate-containing processed meals, such as lunch meats and hot dogs
– Monosodium glutamate (MSG), is a flavor enhancer commonly used in Chinese cuisine.
– Cheddar, blue cheese, and brie are examples of aged cheeses.
If you have regular migraines, it is critical to monitor your diet and identify any changes that may be causing your symptoms. Maintaining a food journal might assist you in identifying probable migraine causes.
You may be able to minimize the frequency and intensity of your migraines by avoiding certain foods and beverages.
