Migraine headaches are a big deal! In fact, they’re enough of one to make the public question a recent presidential candidate’s ability to serve. “Can’t she just take some Aspirin?” you may ask. Unfortunately, migraines are largely unaffected by traditional headache medications. That’s because while a headache is simply defined as pain in the head, migraines are brought on by an enlargement of blood vessels that may be a result of a central nervous system disorder. Migraine headaches come with a host of symptoms including chills, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sweating, sensitivity to light and sounds, along with many others.
Migraine Prevention
While there are limited options available for treating migraines, sufferers would agree that prevention is always best. Recognizing, and then avoiding, the triggers is one of the most helpful weapons one can use in the fight against migraine headaches. Triggers fall into several different categories: dietary, sleep, hormonal, environmental, stress, and physical.
Dietary triggers include fasting/skipping meals, specific foods, and medications. Lack of sleep, oversleeping, and napping might trigger a migraine for some. Hormonal triggers are primarily seen in women, and typically coordinate with their menstrual cycle, when hormones are fluctuating. Migraines can also stem from environmental factors such as changes in weather, bright lights, odors, and pollution.
Predictably, stress is among the list of triggers for migraines. But not just stress in the traditional sense—accumulated stress, repressed emotions, unrealistic timelines and expectations of oneself can also bring on a migraine. Physical triggers include overexertion and exercising in less-than-ideal situations (not in shape, too hot). This category also covers visual triggers such as eyestrain, fluorescent lighting, and flashing lights or computer screens.
Just like every person is different, every migraine sufferer’s bouts are brought on by different triggers. It might be helpful to look at this list of triggers then compare them to the situation surrounding your migraines. Perhaps by identifying what typically causes your migraines, you can prevent at least a portion of them!
For many, migraines can be debilitating. They’re more than just your run-of-the-mill headache. Just ask the 11 out of 100 people that statistics say suffer from migraine headaches. But like the old adage goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Tags: headache, migraine, migraine headaches, migraine relief, migraine symptoms, migraine treatment, migraine triggers, neurological condition, treating migraines
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