According to the Mayo Clinic, a migraine refers to a severe throbbing or pulsating headache that can be accompanied with nausea and vomiting. These headaches can last anywhere from four to 72 hours and interfere with your daily life. Medline Plus states that approximately 11 percent of people in the United States suffer from migraines. Those migraine sufferers usually experience triggers that set off the headaches.
Foods
Certain foods can trigger your migraine attacks. According to the Mayo Clinic, alcoholic beverages such as red wine or beer, chocolate, increased caffeine use, aged cheese and monosodium glutamate (a common component of salty, Asian and processed foods) are just some of the common migraine triggers. MedlinePlus states that peanut butter, dairy products, smoked fish, nuts, onions and certain fruits such as bananas, citrus fruit and avocados all provoke migraines in certain people.
Light and Noise
Sometimes, loud sounds and bright lights can prompt your migraine symptoms, states Medline Plus. For example, you may develop a migraine if you are at a concert or the beach.
Menstruation
During menstruation, your hormones fluctuate and this may bring about your migraines. According to the National Headache Foundation, 60 percent of women are afflicted with menstrual migraines. Specifically, fluctuations in estrogen, a female sex hormone, makes you susceptible to these debilitating migraines. Birth control pills contain synthetic female hormones that can play a role in producing your migraines as well.
Medications
Migraines can be a side effect of certain medications. Call your doctor if any of your medications trigger your migraines. She may adjust your dosage or change your medication.
Unhealthy Lifestyle
An unhealthy lifestyle full of stress can elicit your migraines. Lack of sleep or sleeping too much is also a common cause for migraines. Meditate or do yoga to help relieve your stress, and try to develop a normal sleeping pattern that involves getting at least seven to eight hours of sleep nightly.
Other Migraine Triggers
Smoking or smoking exposure and vigorous exercise can also trigger your migraines, says the Mayo Clinic. In some instances, changes in the weather can also set off your migraines.
