Tips To Avoid Migraine Triggers

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer occasional or frequent migraines, learning to avoid your specific triggers and planning ahead is a crucial part to keep your migraines under control.

Approximately 40 million Americans experience migraine headaches one time a week, it is necessary to do your best to avoid the most severe symptoms. And it’s also crucial to remember that overuse of migraine medications can irritate your symptoms.

Check your food choices

Some drinks and foods can activate headaches, such as:

  • Cheese
  • Alcohol
  • Red wine
  • Chocolate
  • Sweeteners
  • Processed meats

Drinks and foods with alcohol or caffeine are common triggers. Discover which additives or foods bring about a headache for you and limit the amount or try to avoid them.

Strong smells

People that suffer from migraines frequently report that unusual or strong smells trigger their headaches. They usually say that some incense, condiments, or perfumes may affect them.

A recent study showed that the most frequently offending smells during migraines episodes, were perfumes, food odors, scents, and cigarette smoke.

Additionally, a phenomenon known as osmophobia, an intolerance for smells during migraine attacks was reported during the study and it is unique to people with headaches.

Sleep well

People who suffer insomnia, as well as migraines, are at increased risk for depression or anxiety. Insufficient sleep is usually cited as a trigger for acute migraine attacks.

Insomnia is commonly a sleep disorder associated with chronic migraines. But even getting too much sleep can cause headaches, so don’t try to make up for lost sleep by snoozing too long.

Lack of sleep can also aggravate symptoms, changes in your work schedule can also be related to the onset of the migraine. So make sure you clock in at least seven to eight hours of sleep.

Dehydration and hunger

Dehydration has been suggested as a migraine trigger. Make sure you drink enough water, failure to drink enough water has been linked to the onset of headache.

Research normally shows that skipping meals is commonly related to the onset of migraines. It is usually related to falling blood glucose levels. So people with migraines would do well to avoid skipping meals.