How to Determine Your Migraine Triggers

Do you know the secret to reducing migraine attacks? The answer isn’t a new drug or treatment. It’s an all-natural, common sense approach that puts you in control of your migraine disease symptoms — trigger avoidance.

Dr. Naima Cheema and Dr. Hina Abid at Nexclin Medicine in Roswell, Georgia, can help you figure out the culprits behind your attacks and offer effective treatments to lessen their impact on your life. 

What triggers a migraine attack?

There’s a difference between what causes migraine disease and what triggers a migraine attack. While many researchers believe genetics plays a role in the former, other factors may contribute to the abnormal brain activity in those who live with migraine disease.

Migraine triggers, on the other hand, are any circumstances or factors that set off your migraine attacks. Here are some of the top offenders:

Environmental factors

Weather changes, bright lights, and strong smells can trigger migraine attacks. For instance, some people experience migraine attacks due to sudden changes in barometric pressure. Others say that fluorescent lighting or the smell of certain chemicals can set off an attack.

Pay attention to your environment and look for patterns between your surroundings and the onset of your migraine attacks. 

Dietary choices

Food and drink can also trigger migraine attacks. Common culprits include caffeine, alcohol, and foods containing tyramine, such as aged cheeses and cured meats. 

Skipping meals or fasting can also set off migraine attacks.

A good way to identify dietary triggers is to keep a food diary. Note what you eat and drink each day and document any symptoms that follow. 

Stress and emotional factors

Stress often leads to tension headaches, which often evolve into migraine attacks. If stress is one of your triggers, the answer is relaxation. Try meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to stay calm and free from migraine attacks. 

Hormonal changes

Hormonal fluctuations, particularly in women, can trigger migraine attacks. Many women experience migraine attacks related to their menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. 

If hormone imbalance is behind your migraine attacks, hormone replacement therapy may be the answer. 

Sleep patterns

Irregular sleep patterns and poor sleep quality can also trigger migraine attacks. Both too much and too little sleep can set off an attack, so sticking to a regular sleep schedule could reduce your migraine disease symptoms.

Physical exertion

Intense physical activity or sudden exertion can trigger migraine attacks in some people. Don’t avoid exercise altogether, but understand your limits.

Moderate, regular exercise can actually reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Start with low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or yoga, and gradually increase intensity.

Sensory overload

Sensory overload from loud noises, flashing lights, or strong smells can trigger migraine attacks, especially in environments like concerts, crowded malls, or even certain workplaces.

When possible, avoid places or situations where sensory overload is likely. Wear sunglasses, use earplugs, and take breaks from crowds and noises.

Medication overuse

Although medication can ease some migraine disease symptoms, paradoxically, overusing them can lead to more frequent attacks. 

If you suspect medication overuse might be a trigger, discuss it with Dr. Cheema or Dr. Abid so that we can develop a better treatment plan.

Dehydration

Sometimes, simply drinking more water can alleviate your migraine attacks. About 33% of people living with migraine disease report that even slight dehydration kicks off a migraine attack. 

How to identify your migraine attack triggers

Now that you know the main migraine marauders, here’s how to figure out which ones are your personal triggers.

Keep a migraine disease diary

A migraine diary records details about each migraine attack, including the date, time, duration, and any potential triggers you encountered.

Over time, your diary reveals patterns and common triggers you may not have noticed otherwise. You can go old-school and write down your experiences in a paper journal, or you can download any of several apps to track the information on your smartphone.

Work with our Nexclin Medicine team

Not only can we help you identify triggers, but we also develop a personalized treatment plan that includes medication management, Botox® injections, and IV Meyer’s infusions.

Call Nexclin Medicine to schedule an appointment, or book online.