igraines can be incredibly painful, and they can also have a substantial negative impact on your life. When you’re stuck with a migraine, you can be left bed-bound and unable to continue your typical day to day routine. Wondering what might actually be the cause of your migraines? Here’s how to find out what could be causing them.
What Causes Migraines?
Migraines can have many common causes. Once you find out what is triggering yours, you may find it easier to manage and potentially prevent them. From foods to exercise, many different triggers could be causing you pain. The best way to find the source of your migraine is as soon as you feel a headache coming on, check this list of potential triggers and see if you can spot something that seems likely to be the cause. Some common migraine causes include:
Food, Drinks, and Ingredients
Certain foods and drinks can trigger a migraine such as:
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- Alcohol (in particular red wine, whiskey, beer, champagne)
- Artificial sweeteners
- Aged cheeses
- Chocolate
- Caffeine (too much or withdrawal)
- Citrus fruits
- Dried fruits
- Lunch meats
- Onions
- Salty foods
- Nuts
- Food additives (nitrites, nitrates, MSG)
Other Migraine Triggers To Be Aware Of
As well as the above foods and ingredients that could be triggering your migraine, there are also other lifestyle factors to consider that may be affecting you and causing you pain. It’s always crucial for your health and well-being that you get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water to keep hydrated, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. This will not only lower your chances of getting migraines, but it will also prevent further health issues and illnesses. The below can also trigger migraines:
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- Bright lights or flickering lights
- Lack of sleep and/or fatigue
- Dehydration
- Certain medications
- Hormones and/or menstrual periods
- Stress
- Certain odors
- Skipped meals/hunger
- Changing weather conditions
- Too much noise
- Visual triggers including eye strain
- Too much exercise
