Know about the 7 surprising migraine triggers!

There are many dos and don’ts when it comes to analysing migraine. The reason for it is that people are often very sceptical about migraine triggers. In spite of so much awareness, there are still few triggers that people don’t know. As a result, this can just call for migraine. If you want to know about them, then read on.

  7 surprising migraine triggers that you need to know –

1. Extreme exercise –

Intense exercise will dilate the blood vessels in the body. This creates pressure inside the body that again creates an imbalance in serotonin level. As a result, it makes a pathway for migraine pain. If you want to maintain a healthy as well as an active body, get a suggestion from the doctor regarding which exercise to perform. It is always best to start slow.

2. Sex –

This is surprising but true. On one hand, sex cures depression; on the other hand, it is quite a rigorous form of exercise that can lead to a migraine attack.

3. Weather and barometric pressure changes –

‘A bright sunny day’, may sound fancy in story books, but it is not that happy for migraine patients. High humidity, fall and increase in pressure and weather changes, hot temperature, etc., can act as migraine triggers.

4. Contraceptive medicines-

Contraceptive pills create a hormonal imbalance in the body. This is certainly again a trigger for migraine headaches. It is best to avoid taking these pills without consulting a doctor.

5. Onions –

People with migraine problem are sensitive to smells. Onions have a very strong smell and chopping them or eating too much of onion can easily trigger a migraine pain.

6. Fizzy drinks

Cola and other fizzy drinks have too much of additives, sugar and preservatives. All these three combined can trigger migraine.

7. Allergy –

Allergies can be severe in many ways. One more thing that they also do to the body is sending sensory signals of displeasure which can cause migraine. There are 4 different types of allergies that you should avoid –

• Food allergies – Get a test done and see which foods can cause allergies.
• Nasal allergies - Rhinitis and sinusitis are two nasal allergies that cause migraine.
• Dust or pollen allergies – This creates an irritation in the body that can simply result in an allergy.
• Histamine – This is produced by your own body as a reaction to allergens. But it can also easily trigger a migraine pain.

Some other migraine triggers are –

1. Change in routine:

Lack of sleep or rest is a part of the change in routine. This can be one major trigger for migraine pain. Moreover, change in routine causes stress and anxiety, which can again trigger a migraine.

1. Eating too much of junk food

Junk food has either too much of salt or sugar and a high amount of preservatives. Preservatives usually have nitrates and sulphates that act as triggers.

1. Alcohol

Tyramine is one big no - no if you are a migraine patient. So, avoid alcohol strictly.

1. Smoking

Smoking tobacco and hookah both can release carbon monoxide in the body. Carbon monoxide triggers migraine.

1. Skipping meals

An empty stomach can lower glucose level in the body. This is one of the most easily avoidable  of the many migraine triggers.

1. Hormonal change

This is  applicable to women, especially during the menstrual cycle, when they suffer from hormonal imbalance causing migraine. How to manage a migraine? Migraine triggers can be really painful to bear. So, it is best to consult a doctor and get an idea about what are the things that you should avoid to prevent frequent attacks and live better with migraine. You can also find the best and most experienced doctor in your vicinity by using doctor locator tools.one example of this is  http://www.mewithoutmigraine.com/locate-a-doctor/.    

What are migraine headaches? Things you need to know!

Have you ever experienced a headache or pain so severe that you felt that life was not worth living? If yes, be relieved to know that you are not alone. Migraine headaches, one of the most debilitating headache types, have affected a large population across the globe. There are still many, who do not have a clear idea as to what this headache type is all about.

Despite a widespread occurrence, migraines are often underestimated because of a simple fact that it cannot be described well even by the sufferers themselves. Also, the scientists haven’t found an answer to exactly what causes this headache. Hence, for long, migraines have been considered to be minor headaches. But actually, they are extremely severe and very debilitating in nature.

What are migraine headaches?

Migraine is a type of headache that is throbbing and pulsating in nature. They can affect any one of any age. The children too are affected by migraine headaches, along with the adults. In fact, most of the sufferers have had their first attack of migraine during their childhood. What is even more surprising is that women suffer from migraines more than men. This indicates that migraines might have an association with hormonal changes.

Though migraines usually concentrate in only one side of the head, they can also travel to both sides of your head, making the pain even more difficult to bear with. It cannot be clearly said, who will suffer from migraine and how frequently migraine will attack a person. But what is quite clear is that migraines can last for anywhere between 4 and 72 hours.

Causes of migraine:

Although exact reasons are not known, the scientists have found its association with certain changes in brain chemicals. As per Mayo Clinic, migraine is a result of imbalance in serotonin levels. Serotonin is a prime neurotransmitter that regulates any sort of pain and even control mood. According to many research studies, serotonin levels significantly drop during migraine attack and it also triggers some activities in the major pain pathway of brain, the trigeminal nerves. The low serotonin level causes the trigeminal nerves to release certain brain chemicals, called the neuropeptides and this causes the pain.

Migraine triggers:

There are certain external factors that contribute in inducing migraine headaches. These are called migraine triggers. These triggers may vary from one sufferer to the other. But, there are some triggers that are usually quite common amongst most. These are –

• Aged cheese
• Processed and salty foods
• Alcohol and other caffeinated drinks
• Hormonal changes in women
• Changes in sleeping pattern
• Too much or too less of sleep
• Certain medicines such as oral contraceptives or vasodilators
• Bright light, loud sound and strong smell
• MSG and other food additives.

If you are not sure as to what might have been the triggers for your migraine attack, seeing a doctor and following a migraine diary will definitely help. Professional and experienced doctors always help you to identify your triggers and guide you regarding how to avoid them.

Symptoms of migraine headaches:

Migraine symptoms vary largely from one stage to the other. But, some symptoms are quite common and specific only to this headache type. These are –

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness, moodiness, weakness
• Constipation and craving for food
• Throbbing and pulsating pain in one side of head
• No headache but severe stomach aches in case of children
• Auras or sensory, motor and verbal disturbances of the nervous system.

Treating Migraine:

Doctors can recommend correct treatment to manage your migraine headaches. The pain can be significantly reduced and managed, and hence you need to find a doctor near you. You can do so by clicking on this link http://www.mewithoutmigraine.com/locate-a-doctor/.

A brief discussion of migraine headache symptoms

A throbbing and pulsating pain, mostly concentrated in one side of your head – is this the scenario of your headache type? Well, the chances are that your headache type is not just a simple tension type, but a migraine headache. Do not worry or panic about it as you are not the only one to suffer from a migraine headache. Migraines are quite common, but sadly, very few people seem to know about it. In fact, many sufferers fear to accept the possibility that their headache type can be migraine. But, if you have knowledge about the migraine headache symptoms, you will be able to identify your pain type.

Importance of knowing migraine symptoms:

The problem for most people that prohibits them from recognizing or identifying their type of headache is the lack of knowledge regarding its symptoms. This results in a delayed treatment or misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. In case of migraine, this can be really difficult as the pain is almost always extremely severe and difficult to cope with. Hence, to make sure that you do not delay its treatment and see a doctor at once, you must have an idea of the headache symptoms of migraine.

When you are talking about these symptoms, there is a factor that you should understand. The symptoms of migraine vary to quite an extent, from one stage to the other.

Here is a brief discussion regarding those symptoms in different stages of this headache.

Migraine headache symptoms during prodrome:

The prodrome is the stage that occurs before a migraine attack. It can last for about one or two days before an actual attack. The migraine symptoms at this stage are –

• Craving for food
• Constipation
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Mood swings (sometimes you will feel depressed and sometimes euphoric, suddenly)
• Stiffness in neck
• Frequent yawning

These are very subtle changes or symptoms, but they indicate that a migraine attack is ensuing.

Migraine symptoms during an attack:

The migraine headache symptoms during an attack are –

• Throbbing or pulsating pain in one side of head
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound and strong smell
• Feeling lightheaded
• Blurred vision.

This stage can last for about 4 hours to as long as 72 hours. How long it will continue, cannot be predetermined. Even the frequency of a migraine attack varies from person to person. One can have migraine attacks a number of times in a month and others can get it once or twice a year.

Auras as migraine headache symptoms:

One of the most significant aspects of migraine headache symptoms is aura. Auras are nervous system disorders that can disturb sensory, motor and verbal sensations. These are extremely debilitating and disabling. These auras are not compulsory signs of migraine, but many sufferers experience them. The common auras are –

• Temporary vision loss
• Temporary paralysis
• Temporary speech loss
• Prickling or piercing sensation in arms and legs
• Convulsions
• Hearing noises
• Weakness
• Seeing flashes of light, bright spot or various shapes in front of eyes.

Usually the auras last for about 20 to 60 minutes.

Migraine headache symptoms during postdrome:

The symptoms of migraine at the last stage or postdrome, which is the stage after an attack, range within –

• Moodiness
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Extreme sensitivity to light or sound.

If you too experience any of these migraine headache symptoms, there are chances that your headache type is migraine. In that case, it is a very good idea that you see a doctor at once. The doctor will be able to diagnose your condition properly and prescribe the right medicines. There are medicines that can help you cope with the pain and seek the best treatment procedure. Just find the best doctor near you.