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Migraine Headache Triggers
Triggers of migraine headaches are different for each person. Triggers include changes in daily routine, foods, hormones, medicines, lights, odors, or other things in the environment.
The most common migraine triggers are:1
- Stress (either during a stressful time or right after stress subsides).
- Menstrual cycle in women.
- Changes in your routine, such as how much you exercise or how much you sleep.
- Fasting or skipping meals.
- Changes in the weather, heat, or high humidity.
- Bright lights, glare, or reflected sunlight.
- Foods, such as chocolate.
- Alcohol—all alcohol, or one type of alcohol in particular, like beer or wine.
- Odors such as perfume, paint, dust, and certain flowers.
Other migraine triggers include:
- Strong emotions, such as depression or anxiety.
- Pushing yourself too hard when you exercise.
- Aspartame.
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
- Nitrates, which are found in cured meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts.
- Tyramines, which are found in pickled or marinated foods, aged cheeses, and yeast.
- Smoking or being around someone who smokes.
- Excessive caffeine or caffeine withdrawal.
- Birth control pills and hormone therapy.
- Medicines that expand (dilate) the blood vessels (vasodilators), such as nifedipine, and nitrates.
- Overuse of headache pain medicines, leading to rebound headaches.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 27, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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