Many migraine sufferers have been able to manage their migraines by figuring out and avoiding those things that are most likely to contribute to migraines. The problem with this is that every person who experiences migraines has a unique set of triggers. To complicate matters, sometimes triggers have to occur in combination before they will cause a migraine.
Not all triggers are avoidable, but being aware of them is still important. There are treatments that can help reduce your sensitivity to migraines, and knowing that you’ve been, or may be, exposed to a trigger can help you prepare and sometimes prevent the possibility of an episode.
The best way to determine your triggers is by keeping a migraine diary. When you have a migraine, write down everything you can think of about the headache. There are many potential migraine triggers, so it’s important to be as detailed as possible. Start with the date, approximate onset time, and symptoms. Also include details about any of the following common triggers, or anything else that may seem relevant.
1. Weather changes - Some people know the weather is about to change because an old injury flares up, or their joints start to ache. Others know because changing barometric pressure can bring on a migraine like nobody’s business.
2. Temperature extremes or fluctuations - Getting overheated or too cold can both trigger a migraine. Some sufferers have no problem with extreme temperatures… until they walk into a chilly air conditioned room after working in the garden on a hot summer day.
3. Hormone changes - Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and even thyroid imbalance (so men aren’t immune!) can cause changes in hormone levels that can lead to migraine. Sometime hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraception can help, but sometimes they actually aggravate the problem.
4. Diet - Foods containing nitrates, tyramine, or monosodium glutamate, along with many other foods, can all be migraine triggers, as can alcohol.
5. Sleep issues - Sleeping too much or too little, or sleep that is interrupted or poor quality can trigger a migraine. If you wake up in the morning with a migraine, there’s a good chance something about your sleep triggered it.
6. Dehydration - Some people get a bit dehydrated and they feel a little a little shaky or nauseated, while dehydration can bring on a migraine in some sufferers. Be sure to drink plenty of fluid. Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine, as these can be somewhat dehydrating. However, some sufferers swear by a little caffeine to reduce the severity of a migraine.
7. Bright or blinking lights - Fluorescent lights, strobe lights, and older computer monitors are the worst culprits here, but sunlight filtering through leaves in the trees can also be a trigger.
8. Smells - Any smell can potentially be a trigger, but chemical smells such as perfumes are the worst.
9. Physical exertion - Working up a sweat, whether through exercise, physical labor, or even orgasm can trigger migraines in some people. However, if you experience this, it’s important to seek medical attention to rule out aneurysm or other underlying condition.
10. Stress - Many experts are convinced that stress is not a trigger, while some migraine sufferers will swear they are more likely to experience migraines when stressed.
No matter what triggers your migraines, or even if you never identify a trigger, chiropractic care can help you reduce both the frequency and severity of your migraines. For more information, contact Eastland Chiropractic on 03 9095 7990 to find out how we can help you manage your migraines.
Not all triggers are avoidable, but being aware of them is still important. There are treatments that can help reduce your sensitivity to migraines, and knowing that you’ve been, or may be, exposed to a trigger can help you prepare and sometimes prevent the possibility of an episode.
The best way to determine your triggers is by keeping a migraine diary. When you have a migraine, write down everything you can think of about the headache. There are many potential migraine triggers, so it’s important to be as detailed as possible. Start with the date, approximate onset time, and symptoms. Also include details about any of the following common triggers, or anything else that may seem relevant.
1. Weather changes - Some people know the weather is about to change because an old injury flares up, or their joints start to ache. Others know because changing barometric pressure can bring on a migraine like nobody’s business.
2. Temperature extremes or fluctuations - Getting overheated or too cold can both trigger a migraine. Some sufferers have no problem with extreme temperatures… until they walk into a chilly air conditioned room after working in the garden on a hot summer day.
3. Hormone changes - Menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, and even thyroid imbalance (so men aren’t immune!) can cause changes in hormone levels that can lead to migraine. Sometime hormone replacement therapy or hormonal contraception can help, but sometimes they actually aggravate the problem.
4. Diet - Foods containing nitrates, tyramine, or monosodium glutamate, along with many other foods, can all be migraine triggers, as can alcohol.
5. Sleep issues - Sleeping too much or too little, or sleep that is interrupted or poor quality can trigger a migraine. If you wake up in the morning with a migraine, there’s a good chance something about your sleep triggered it.
6. Dehydration - Some people get a bit dehydrated and they feel a little a little shaky or nauseated, while dehydration can bring on a migraine in some sufferers. Be sure to drink plenty of fluid. Avoid alcohol and limit caffeine, as these can be somewhat dehydrating. However, some sufferers swear by a little caffeine to reduce the severity of a migraine.
7. Bright or blinking lights - Fluorescent lights, strobe lights, and older computer monitors are the worst culprits here, but sunlight filtering through leaves in the trees can also be a trigger.
8. Smells - Any smell can potentially be a trigger, but chemical smells such as perfumes are the worst.
9. Physical exertion - Working up a sweat, whether through exercise, physical labor, or even orgasm can trigger migraines in some people. However, if you experience this, it’s important to seek medical attention to rule out aneurysm or other underlying condition.
10. Stress - Many experts are convinced that stress is not a trigger, while some migraine sufferers will swear they are more likely to experience migraines when stressed.
No matter what triggers your migraines, or even if you never identify a trigger, chiropractic care can help you reduce both the frequency and severity of your migraines. For more information, contact Eastland Chiropractic on 03 9095 7990 to find out how we can help you manage your migraines.