Trigger information

What triggers a migraine?

There are lots of potential triggers for a migraine, which can vary from person to person. Here are some of the more common ones:

Diet:
Diet is a very individual trigger, but some foods and drinks are more frequently identified.

Here are some examples:

• Alcohol
• Cheese
• Caffeine
• Citrus fruits
• Garlic
• Milk
• Nuts
• Onions
• Pickled foods
• Wheat

Chocolate may cause migraine, but a desire to it eat it just before an attack is common, as there is often a craving for sweet things.

Skipping meals leads to a change in blood sugar level, which is a common cause of attacks, as is dehydration.

Female hormones:
In women, hormonal changes may also contribute to the onset of a migraine. Some women suffer menstrual migraines in the days before, during or after a period, and many experience their first migraine in the same year as their first period.

Many women may find the menopause is the worst time of all for their migraines. Hormone replacement therapy may be helpful, particularly therapy which stops periods for three months.

Pregnancy can cause variable responses in migraine sufferers. Some mums-to-be become totally free of migraine until after they finish breast-feeding. Others may find their attacks worsen for the first three months.

Sleep:
Too much or too little can trigger an attack, so it is very important to maintain a regular sleeping pattern.

Emotional:
Stress is a trigger for many people. We understand how quickly stress levels can build up from time to time in today’s hectic world. However if you suffer from migraine, it’s even more important to try and manage your stress and not take on too much.

More frequently, and unfortunately, migraine will start when you begin to relax. For example when you go on holiday or finish work for Christmas. This is why it is important to be prepared and keep your treatment with you at all times. There is nothing worse than losing precious relaxation time to migraine.

Physical:
Light physical exercise may be helpful, but heavy strenuous exercise can trigger an episode. Sadly so too can energetic sexual activity.

Environmental:
Heavy weather and bright lights (particularly strip lighting) can precipitate an attack. Flashing lights and bright computer screens may be individual triggers.