If migraine headaches are affecting your life, you need to explore and recognize the triggers.
For example, you're out to lunch and are having a salad with some feta cheese sprinkled on top. Feta cheese could be one trigger. Add a little wine with that cheese and there's another possible trigger. Having salad and wine at the same table with an exasperating boss could be a third trigger. At that point, you are ready to go home because you have a raging migraine headache.
It's difficult to pinpoint what exactly triggers a migraine and, consequently, you may have several triggers. The following is a list of some migraine triggers provided by the Mayo Clinic and my experience with each one:
Hormonal changes: I would count on a migraine at the first and fifth day of my period every month. The fluctuation of estrogen is a particularly common migraine trigger. I'm allergic to Motrin, but I hear that provides relief in some women. Personally, I would have to call in sick, place a cold pack on my head and rest quietly in a dark room.
Foods: red wine and alcohol in general would bring on a migraine, but I have found that drinking lots of water before, during and after a night out helped tremendously. Alcohol is dehydrating so it's important to remember that before going to a function where you may be indulging. Other food triggers include aged cheeses, chocolate, aspartame, overuse of caffeine, and monosodium glutamate.
Stress: anxiety is difficult for to control but I'm learning new holistic methods such as breathing, meditation, yoga, and massage therapy.
Sensory stimuli: in my case, my sense of smell becomes particularly perceptive just before a migraine begins. I suppose I could call it an aura. When I notice a strong odor but other people can't smell it, I know something unpleasant is about to happen. I used to ignore it but now practice the deep breathing technique or take a pill.
Changes in wake-sleep pattern: if I don't get enough sleep or go to bed late and sleep in, I'm usually doomed by a migraine the entire next day.
Physical factors: intense physical exertion, including sexual activity, may provoke migraines, although I haven't experienced this problem.
Changes in the environment: I often get migraines during the spring or fall seasons because of the temperature fluctuation. High humidity and windy days tend to bring on a migraine. Also, I cannot have a fan blowing on the temple area of my head -- ugh.
Medications: although I haven't experienced medication bringing on a headache, some women are especially sensitive to HRT or birth control pills.
A recent report on Huffington Post entitled: Smart Strategies for Taming Headache Triggers provided possible solutions for heading off an oncoming migraine. (see link below)
However, it's necessary to know what your triggers are so you can combat the problem before it starts. I have at least five triggers. How many do you have?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/migraine-headache/DS00120/DSECTION=causes
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/migraine-triggers_n_867836.html#s284367&title=Youre_Eating_the
Reviewed June 6, 2011
Edited by Alison Stanton