Migraine triggers include:
Food & food additives
Alcohol (especially red wine), caffeinated beverages, nuts, nitrite/nitrate-preserved foods (hot dogs, pepperoni), smoked or pickled foods.
Light
Strong or glaring light. Flickering lights from TV or computer screen, strobe or laser lights, or reflections.
Smells/odors
Intense, specific food odors, cigarette or other smoke, perfumes, cleaning products.
Stress
Migraine attacks often occur after stress - especially on weekends and holidays. Many people mistake these as tension headaches.
Weather Changes
High humidity, atmospheric pressure changes, rapid temperature fluctuations, and exposure to extreme heat or cold may bring on migraine attacks. Many people mistake these for "sinus headaches."
Changes in sleeping habits
Too little, or more often, too much sleep can trigger migraines.
Dieting/hunger
Any change in eating habits, missed meals, change in schedule or dieting.
Loud noises/sounds
Sudden or prolonged loud noises.
Motion/travel
Reaction to motion sickness.
Caffeine
Having more (and sometimes even having less) caffeine than you are used to can trigger migraines.
Hormonal Fluctuations
The frequency of women's migraines is sometimes said to be related to hormonal fluctuation, particularly with regard to estrogen. In many women, migraines begin just prior to, or during, their monthly menstrual period, or during treatment with artificial hormones such as birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.
To help identify which triggers affect you, keep a migraine diary for several months...the longer the better. Every time you experience a migraine, write down what you ate that day or what other conditions existed prior to the attack.
After a while a profile emerges that can help you avoid the triggers that affect you.
Food & food additives
Alcohol (especially red wine), caffeinated beverages, nuts, nitrite/nitrate-preserved foods (hot dogs, pepperoni), smoked or pickled foods.
Light
Strong or glaring light. Flickering lights from TV or computer screen, strobe or laser lights, or reflections.
Smells/odors
Intense, specific food odors, cigarette or other smoke, perfumes, cleaning products.
Stress
Migraine attacks often occur after stress - especially on weekends and holidays. Many people mistake these as tension headaches.
Weather Changes
High humidity, atmospheric pressure changes, rapid temperature fluctuations, and exposure to extreme heat or cold may bring on migraine attacks. Many people mistake these for "sinus headaches."
Changes in sleeping habits
Too little, or more often, too much sleep can trigger migraines.
Dieting/hunger
Any change in eating habits, missed meals, change in schedule or dieting.
Loud noises/sounds
Sudden or prolonged loud noises.
Motion/travel
Reaction to motion sickness.
Caffeine
Having more (and sometimes even having less) caffeine than you are used to can trigger migraines.
Hormonal Fluctuations
The frequency of women's migraines is sometimes said to be related to hormonal fluctuation, particularly with regard to estrogen. In many women, migraines begin just prior to, or during, their monthly menstrual period, or during treatment with artificial hormones such as birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.
To help identify which triggers affect you, keep a migraine diary for several months...the longer the better. Every time you experience a migraine, write down what you ate that day or what other conditions existed prior to the attack.
After a while a profile emerges that can help you avoid the triggers that affect you.