Migraines are severe headaches that doctors commonly link to the brain chemical serotonin and alterations in the vessels that supply your brain with blood. Different people have different triggering conditions or circumstances that increase their chances of developing migraine symptoms. Bad eating habits, in combination with or separate from pregnancy, are known for their potential to trigger migraines.
Migraine Causes
No one is entirely sure what causes migraines, MayoClinic.com says. However, serotonin---which partially determines the ways in which your nerves interpret pain---typically falls to lower levels during migraine attacks. A prominent nerve in your face and head, called the trigeminal nerve, may respond to this serotonin drop by releasing certain chemicals that trigger migraine symptoms when they come into contact with your brain's outer lining. If you're female, changes in your body's estrogen levels may trigger alterations in your serotonin levels. Additional potential causes of serotonin changes include your food choices and your blood glucose levels.
Eating Habits
If you're prone to migraines, you can trigger an attack by missing a meal, purposefully skipping a meal or fasting, according to MayoClinic.com and the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP. You can also trigger a migraine by knowingly or unknowingly consuming foods that tend to provoke the onset of your migraine-related symptoms. Among a long list of potential problem foods and drinks are avocados, lentils, figs, pickled or preserved foods, alcohol, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, peanut butter, nuts, various types of beans, aged cheeses, onions, dairy products, nitrate-containing meats like bacon, chocolate, excessive amounts of caffeine, canned soup and any product that contains brewer's yeast.
Pregnancy
In some cases, the hormonal changes associated with pregnancy can lead to a heightened tendency toward migraines in women with a history of the headaches, MayoClinic.com reports. However, other women with a history of migraines may experience fewer attacks while pregnant. Other hormone-related conditions or circumstances can lead to the onset of a migraine, including estrogen fluctuations associated with the beginning and end of menstruation, the onset of menopause and the use of hormone replacement therapy or oral birth control products.
Considerations
Women have a greater tendency toward migraines than men, the AAFP notes. If poor eating habits trigger the onset of your migraines, you can potentially reduce their occurrence by eating regularly and avoiding foods that you know cause you problems. If you have trouble linking your food intake to your migraine symptoms, try recording your food choices and migraine occurrences in a journal. Apart from nonprescription medications---such as aspirin and naproxen---and prescription medications, such as ergotamine and naratriptan, additional potential remedies for migraines include reducing your stress levels, exercising regularly, losing excess weight and getting enough sleep. Ask your doctor for advice on tracing possible triggers for your migraine symptoms.
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