Migraine Triggers

Posted: Dec. 1, 2004

Research scientists are unclear about the precise cause of migraine headaches. There seems to be general agreement, however, that a key element is blood flow changes in the brain. People who get migraine headaches appear to have blood vessels that overreact to various triggers.

Keep a diary of your own particular triggers.
Knowing what to avoid can change your pattern of attacks.

These triggers may include stress and other normal emotions, as well as biological and environmental conditions. Fatigue, glaring or flickering lights, changes in the weather, and certain foods can set off migraine. It may seem hard to believe that eating such seemingly harmless foods as yogurt, nuts and lima beans can result in a painful migraine headache.

However, some scientists believe that these foods and several others contain chemical substances, such as tyramine, which constrict arteries — the first step of the migraine process. Other scientists believe that foods cause headaches by setting off an allergic reaction in susceptible people.

While a food-triggered migraine usually occurs soon after eating, other triggers may not cause immediate pain. Scientists report that people can develop migraine not only during a period of stress but also afterwards when their vascular systems are still reacting. For example, migraines that wake people up in the middle of the night are believed to result from a delayed reaction to stress.

Migraines may be triggered by:
Chocolate
Citrus fruits
Tomatoes
Preserved meats
Dairy products
Nuts
Coffee
Red wine
Sulfites
Preservatives/flavor enhancers/MSG
Salt
Olive Oil
Coconut and coconut oil (including suntan lotions)
Aspartame

Environmental triggers include:
Glare
Loud or repetitive noise
Strong odors (perfume)
Certain weather conditions (dry winds, heat)
Changes in the weather
Altitude changes
Chemicals such as insecticides
Air pollution
Secondhand smoke
Florescent lighting
Flickering lights (computer monitors)

Physiological triggers include:
Stress
Exercise
Hormonal changes
Birth control pills
Too much or too little sleep
Medicines such as antihistamines, aspirin or diuretics
Hypoglycemia and missing meals
Any other type of headache

Source: National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke

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