Migraines are a severe, painful, pulsating type of headache that affects one or both sides of the face, or radiates behind the eyes. Migraine symptoms are characterized by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. They occur in “auras”, which can last between 1 hour to days at a time. Thus, identifying what triggers your migraines is essential so they don’t interfere with daily life.
In addition to doctor-prescribed medications, migraines can be prevented by avoiding the following triggers:
1. Stress
Stress is the number one cause of migraine headaches. Brain activity due to overthinking and anxiety attacks can increase when you are stressed out. After relief, brain activity tends to relax, and this can cause a migraine after a week. Usually, your brain is fixed on a consistent curve activity status. Due to the relaxation, changes may occur in the brain’s chemical levels, which regulate pain and lead to a migraine. While you are stressed out about something, it’s important that you do not stay thinking about it and instead find an alternative that ensures your brain is not pumped in thoughts.
2. Alcohol
After taking your favorite liquor, you may assume your headache is nothing but a hangover. However, excessive alcohol drinking leads to dehydration due to having to pee often. Once your body lacks enough fluid in it, it may trigger a migraine, which is normally longer than the ordinary hangover ache. Alcohol also contains components such as flavonoid phenols, sulfites, and histamine, which are known triggers of migraines. While you take alcohol, it’s important that you avoid excess of it and always stay hydrated. You can also avoid drinking it if you are prone to migraines.
3. Hormonal contraception
Ladies have hormones that could trigger migraines. Migraines in females have been linked to menstrual cycles when a hormonal level change triggers the pain. Another dominant cause of hormonal migraines is that females have high estrogen levels, which is responsible for the sensation of pain. As a lady, you must avoid any changes in your hormonal balance so that they do not trigger any changes that are not body-driven. Contraceptives and other forms of pregnancy prevention medication that are hormonal can lead to hormone imbalance, and once you are on your menses, you may experience a migraine.
4. Strong fragrances
Strong fragrances or scents can increase the brain’s level of receptors, which can trigger a migraine. However appealing it may be to wear strong perfume, you may end up as a migraine sufferer. Fragrances can cause blood vessels to swell and stimulate receptors associated with pain in the brain, leading to a migraine. Instead of the hassle, you can instead choose fragrance-free products, and if you happen to suffer from one, take lots of water, which is an alternative to painkillers. If you happen to be in a room full of the scent, at least open the windows to let air in to suppress its strength.
5. Bright lights
Bright lights from both the sun and other lighting forms have been cited to be a major cause of migraines. Patients have also complained about sensitivity to light as one of the symptoms of migraine. Bright lights expose a strain in the eye, which leads to headaches in the form of migraines. Light from the direct hot sun, fluorescent, bright bulbs, and a screen device are major causes of the pain. You can avoid exposure by having sunglasses on during hot days or use a less bright bulb in your house to prevent eye strain.