What can trigger migraines?

Answer 1

Migraines often are triggered by food items, such as red wine, chocolate, peanuts, processed meats, Oranges, and aged cheeses. For women, a hormonal connection is possible for some women, since headaches occur at specific points in the menstrual cycle. However, migraines should not be blamed on hormones alone.

People who suffer from migraine have hypersensitive brains that overreact to certain stimuli that we call triggers. Triggers can be chemical, food or environmental. A migraine headache takes on a life of its own once it has been triggered. It can rage on for days because the sufferer becomes more sensitive to other triggers while under the influence of a migraine. The triggers pile up and make your life miserable. You need some medication help but you also need to make some significant lifestyle changes which can cut way down on the need for migraine meds.

You need to start paying close attention to what triggers your migraines. Triggers can result from bright lights, irregular bedtimes, sleeping late, drinking, too much computer, tobacco smoke, flourescent lighting, paint and perfume fumes, car exhaust, extreme temperatures, chemicals, foods, medications, etc. The list is endless and only you can determine what your particular triggers are. The most common culprit is food although it is one of the least understood by doctors. In fact, most doctors have very little understanding of migraine triggers. Legumes, oranges, chocolate, msg, wine, aged cheese, soy sauce and certain medications can all trigger migraines.

For certain people some very common foods can set the stage for a migraine to occur. Soy and corn are two common triggers for migraine yet are virtually ignored by doctors. If you check food labels, those two foods are in every processed food in the grocery store. Think high fructose corn syrup that's used in almost everything sweet. Soy is at the base of most foods and is a big problem for many people. Soybean oil can be a serious migraine trigger for may people and it is found in most processed foods. Cutting out ALL processed foods for three months may make a difference in your life. You may find that you can only visit the dairy and produce aisles at your local supermarket and forget the rest. You are fortunate if you have a Whole Foods and Trader Joe's in your area. They sell less processed more nutritious foods.

It's not as bad as it sounds. Just eat unprocessed foods like fresh veggies, fruits, whole wheat pasta, marinara with olive oil only, plain meats like steak, hamburg, turkey, chicken, and fish. Cook with olive oil only. No deli meats. No mayonnaise unless it is made with a non-offending oil. Find a whole grain bread without corn or soy in it and stick to it for the trail period. Find a good buckwheat pancake mix with no soy or corn. It is hard work to switch off processed foods but you may be rewarded with a lot less migraine pain and better health. Without the constant trigger of foods your migraines will decrease and you will be less susceptible to other triggers. Once you experience some pain relief you will also be in a condition to better recognize your triggers.

Book suggestions:

Headache Relief by Alan M. Rappaport, MD & Fred D. Sheftell, MD

Headache Free by Roger Cady, MD & Kathleen Farmer, PsyD

Was It Something You Ate? by John Emsley & Peter Fell

Answer 2

Alcohol such as beers, and red wine are common triggers for migraine. They contain a good amount of tyramine wich can trigger migraine. Certain foods such as chocolate, cheese, citrus fruits, and nuts may contain tyramine and phenylethylamine.

Answer 3

There are many triggers that can induces a migraine attack, both physical and psychological. Changes in light exposure can induce migraine attacks, as well as stress and lack of sleep.