Classic Migraine Triggers Prove to Be Helpful Place to Start

Common migraine headache triggers can be an interesting list to pin down. This is because migraine headache triggers can be different for every sufferer. However, researchers have been able to compile a list that includes the most commonly experienced migraine headache triggers. According to studies more than 26 million American suffer from migraine headaches, a neurologic disorder. Migraine headaches are thought to be a genetic disorder, and many times run in families.

Seven common triggers

Recognizing migraine headache triggers can be important for sufferers to help prevent future migraine headaches. While migraine headache triggers are different for every sufferer, what researchers do know is that there are several classic triggers that affect a large percentage of sufferers.

Classic migraine headache triggers include diet changes, weather changes and changes in sleeping patterns. All of these triggers can disrupt normal serotonin levels in the brain. It appears that any change to the normal, or stress to the system can produce a migraine headache in those who suffer.

A classic trigger includes the biological events that precede orgasm can bring on a migraine-like headache. The increased blood flow through dilated vessels, tensed neck and body muscles, heavy breathing and the changes in serotonin levels in the brain can trigger a migraine headache. These same triggers can occur after other kinds of physical exertion and exercise. Research indicates that this trigger is actually more severe for men than for women. Some researchers say that this same trigger in men can ease a painful headache for many women.

A very common trigger for women is menstruation. The reason for this trigger is because hormone levels fluctuate drastically during this time. Both estrogen and progesterone drastically change during a woman’s period. These hormone changes can trigger migraines.

Estrogen and progesterone also drastically change during pregnancy and postpartum. Estrogen stabilizes the brain from pain, so some women may not have any headaches at all during pregnancy, while others will have intense headaches.

Weather changes are common migraine triggers. Changes in air pressure, such as before heavy rain or snow, can trigger migraine headaches in a number of sufferers. More than half of migraine headache sufferers have intense migraine headaches during these weather changes.

A consistent sleep pattern is important for migraine headache sufferers. Getting too much or too little sleep can trigger a migraine headache because it disrupts the normal bodily rhythms. Sleeping irregular hours can also interfere with the normal bodily rhythms. Changing a thing as simple as sleep, also changes normal eating patterns which cause blood sugar levels to rise and dip when the body is not use to it.

If something were to interfere with a normal sleep schedule is suggested to keep as much as possible normal. If someone were to stay out late, getting up at the same time the next morning is critical. It is also suggested to keep a regular eating schedule.

Food triggers are also very common for migraine headache sufferers. Sometimes figuring out what the exact trigger is can be difficult, but on occasion, it can be that something is missing from the diet. Low potassium can cause a migraine headache, and must be treated properly. Also, many foods that may help some migraine headache sufferers, such as bananas, can be a trigger for others.

Migraine headache sufferers are typically very sensitive to sensory stimuli, like bright lights and loud noises. Bright, fluorescent or flickering lights can be very painful to migraine headache sufferers. This is an interesting situation with the recent push to use environmentally friendly fluorescent lighting.

The last classic trigger is a sufferer’s stress level. Migraine headache sufferers don’t handle stress very well. Quiet time on a daily basis can greatly help with the stress and the let down period after a time of high stress.

Keeping a daily diary can greatly help migraine headache sufferers. This diary should include their daily schedule, food and additional stress. The daily diary can greatly help both patient and doctor.

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