Migraine Headache Triggers Discussion

Migraine headaches are a type of headache resulting in pain so severe that it can be disabling. Typically, migraine headaches are accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to both light and noise. There are many different causes attributed to migraine headaches, and these migraine headache triggers can affect just about anyone.

All you have to do for proof is examine the statistics. In America alone, over twenty-eight million people suffer from migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are more common in women; for every one man who suffers from a migraine headache, there are three women.

The exact causes of migraine headache triggers is not known, but it's thought that a series of events begins with the excitement of nerve cells in the brain. These over excitable nerve cells then send out impulses to the blood vessels in the brain. The nerve releases substances that cause inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels resulting in pain and throbbing

Migraines and migraine headache triggers have become somewhat easier to manage than they used to be. Often times, you can just examine the migraine headache triggers and determine which aspect of your life is the cause of your migraine headaches. Once you know which migraine headache triggers relate to your situation, it will become easier to find a treatment.

Are You at Risk?

There are several risk factors that make someone more prone to migraine headaches. Migraine headaches most commonly occur in girls that have already passed through puberty. Women who experience migraines find that their likelihood of experiencing one increases during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. Migraine headaches also run in families; if even one of your parents’ experiences migraines then you are much more likely to develop them yourself.

Common Migraine Headache Triggers?

A wide variety of foods, drugs, environmental cues, and personal events are known to trigger migraine headaches. It is not known how most triggers set off the events of migraine.

Of all the migraine headache triggers, the most common one is stress. Another common trigger of migraines is certain foods, such as alcohol, aged cheeses, chocolate, aspartame, caffeine, msg, seasonings, and some canned or processed foods. Migraines can also be caused by fasting or skipping meals.

Physical factors such as increased sexual activity, intense exercise, or a change in sleep patterns are also migraine headache triggers. Changes in the environment and certain medications often act as triggers of migraine headaches, as do sun glare and bright lights. Hormonal changes can also cause migraines, and this may be why a significantly greater number of women than men are affected by migraines. Some women experience migraines during pregnancy or menopause.

Drugs which may trigger migraine headache include: Oral contraceptives Estrogen replacement therapy, Nitrates, Theophylline, Reserpine, Nifedipine, Indomethicin Cimetidine, Decongestant overuse Benzodiazepine withdrawal.

Common migraine headache food triggers include:Cheese Alcohol Caffeine products, and caffeine withdrawal. Chocolate Intensely sweet foods dairy products, fermented or pickled foods, citrus fruits, Nuts, processed foods, especially those containing nitrites, sulfites, or monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Environmental and event-related migraine headache triggers include: Stress or time pressure Menstrual periods, menopause ,Sleep changes or disturbances, oversleeping, prolonged overexertion or uncomfortable posture Hunger or fasting Odors, smoke, or perfume strong glare or flashing lights.

Other Possible Migraine Headache Triggers

One theory about the cause of migraine is the blood flow theory, which focuses on blood vessel activity in the brain. Blood vessels either narrow or expand. Narrowing can constrict blood flow, causing problems with sight or dizziness. When the blood vessels expand, they press on nerves nearby, which causes pain. Another theory focuses on chemical changes in the brain. When chemicals in the brain that send messages from one cell to another, including the messages to blood vessels to get narrow or expand, are interrupted, migraines can occur.

Abortive Therapy For Migraine Headache Triggers

Migraine-specific therapies are designed specifically to treat migraine attacks. Ergotamine preparations are no longer readily available. Dihydroergotamine (DHE) may be used for self-injection. DHE is also available as the nasal spray Migranal. A combination product containing isometheptene (Midrin®) is not usually effective for migraine. Sumatriptan (Imitrex®), a 5-HT agonist, is available in self-injectable, nasal spray and rapidly-dissolving tablet forms. Other 5-HT agonists are almotriptan (Axert®), naratriptan (Amergeý®, rizatriptan (Maxalt®), zolmitriptan (Zomig®), frovatriptan (Frova®) and eletriptan (Relpax®). All are available in tablet form. Both rizatriptan and zolmitriptan are available in an orally disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT and Zomig-ZMT), which can be taken without water. Zomig also comes in a nasal spray. Abortive medications are most effective when taken early in an attack, while the pain is still mild and before skin sensitivity increases. The goal is complete relief of pain and associated symptoms, allowing the sufferer to quickly return to normal functioning.