Migraine Causes & Risks

Causes

The precise cause is unknown. Among the suspected causes are:

• Environmental triggers
• Genetic predisposition
• Dietary triggers
• Physiologic (menstruation, puberty)

A trigger sets the process in motion. It is possible that the nervous system reacts to the trigger by conducting electrical activity. This spreads across the brain. It leads to the release of brain chemicals. These make blood vessels swell. It may be this inflammation that causes pain and other symptoms.

Risk Factors

The risk of having a migraine over a lifetime is up to 20%-25%.

Factors that increase your chance for migraines may include:

• Sex: adult females, but more common in male children than female
• Family members with migraines
• Youth (90% occur by age 40)
• Medications including:
  • Hormone replacement therapy
  • Drugs to dilate blood vessels
• Menstruation
• Fatigue
• Lack of sleep or changing sleep patterns
• Stress or relief from stress
• Skipping meals
• Alcohol, especially red wine
• Altitude or weather changes
• Time zone changes
• Exertion that is sustained
• Glaring or flashing light
• Perfumes or other odors
• Eating foods known to trigger migraines
• Epilepsy