Migraine is one of the most common afflictions and, although it can result from a number of different causes, it is often difficult for an individual to pinpoint the exact one that is responsible for their headaches. Migraines bring with them excruciating pain lasting for hours, often days, so discovering what “triggers” a migraine is crucially important for migraine sufferers. Often the physical reason for a migraine headache is the enlargement of the temporal artery, which is located at the side of the skull. This results in the release of chemicals that can cause the pain. Preventing migraines means finding out what causes this physical change for you and this might prove to be tricky, but it is not impossible. Once the cause is known, steps can be taken to avoid it in future.

Factors That May Cause Migraine Headaches

There are many people who unfortunately suffer from migraines on a regular basis. Because of the frequency of the attacks they are able to link the migraine to a specific trigger more easily than people whose migraines are rare. The latter group need to devote some time to finding a link between their headaches and some factor in their routine that triggers off the pain. This is easier said than done and the following paragraphs offer some guidance to get you started.

Some Of The Potential Factors That May Trigger Migraine Headaches

• Bright lights, strong smells, loud noise and particular odours.

People who are sensitive to light may experience a severe headache when flashes of bright lights occur. There are some people who are similarly sensitive to sounds and noises, and too much of such may cause them headaches. Others who have sensitive noses may experience severe pain in the head when they smell particularly strong odours or scents.

• Stress, both physical and emotional.

Stress is a common factor in many types of ailments – and this includes migraine.

• Skipping meals, starvation, or fasting.

Low blood sugar levels is also a very common factor that is responsible for triggering off a severe         headache.

• Lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns.

Some people who suffer from insomnia may also experience migraine headaches due to a lack of rest which also brings on additional stress.

• Menstrual cycles and hormonal imbalance.

Women who suffer from hormonal imbalances may suffer from migraine headaches before and/or after their menstrual period.

• Alcohol

Hangover headaches might also develop into migraines.

How Do We Treat or Prevent Migraine?

There are some migraine pain relief medicines that may help treat migraine headaches or at least relieve the pain. However, the most effective way in preventing migraines is to bring focus on avoiding the triggers. Unfortunately there are some factors that cause migraines that are unavoidable, as in the menstrual headaches mentioned above. In such cases taking medicines, such as pain relievers, are the only course of action. In addition, people who regularly suffer from migraines are recommended to become familiar with relaxation techniques, such as meditation, in order to help minimise the pain. For other types of migraines taking positive action to find out what triggers them and then avoiding the trigger, or triggers, is the way to control them. Migraine prevention is always preferable to migraine cure.

One way to track down migraine triggers is to keep a diary or migraine questionnaire and write down everything you have had to eat or drink and any other factor/s that may have contributed to a migraine. Sooner or later, with any luck, a pattern will emerge and a factor that is always present when a migraine occurs will be identified.

I hope that the above will encourage you to search for your own personal migraine triggers. Remember that a migraine headache is a symptom that results from a particular set of physical factors. If the cause of these physical factors can be found and avoided then the migraine symptoms can be eliminated or at least minimised.