Preventing Migraine Headaches: Triggers

Food and nutrition. Skipping meals or not drinking enough water can set off headaches. So can certain foods, such as, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG), aged cheese, or sausage fermented or pickled goods, and food additives like nitrates (as used in hot dogs). High intake of coffee or withdrawal from coffee can result in migraines.

Alcohol. Red wine and other alcoholic beverages are common migraine triggers.

Chemicals. Scents, cleaning products, gasoline, glue, perfume, and paint can be triggers. So can tobacco smoke, including secondhand smoke.

Emotions. Stress and high levels of anxiety can set off headaches or make them worse once they start.

Sleep disruption. Staying up late, sleeping late, and traveling across time zones can disrupt your sleep cycle, setting off headaches. Lack of adequate sleep or too much sleep can also be a trigger.

Hormones. Many women notice that migraines tend to happen at a certain point in their menstrual cycle. It is known as a menstrual migraine and occurs due to cyclical changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones during a menstrual cycle. Birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy may also set off migraines.

Environment and weather. Air travel, jet lag, changes in altitude, air pressure changes, hot sun, high humidity, or bright or flashing lights can be triggers.

Medicine overuse. Frequent use of pain medicines for treating headache can also cause a headache once the effect of the medicine wears off. This may also be called rebound headache.

Stay away from triggers if you can.

• Stay clear of alcohol and foods that trigger your headaches.

• Maintain a migraine diet sheet to identify and avoid specific food triggers.

• Use unscented household products.

• Keep regular sleep habits.

• Manage stress to help control emotional triggers.

• Exercise can reduce stress and migraines.

• Limit your consumption of alcohol and caffeine.

Change your behavior at times when triggers can't be prevented.

• Make sure to get enough rest and drink plenty of water while you're traveling.

• Make sure to carry a hat, sunglasses, and your medicines.

• Be alert for migraine symptoms, so you can treat a migraine early if it happens.

• Keeping a headache diary helps to figure out triggers.

Don't overuse headache medicines . Talk to your healthcare provider about how to reduce your need for headache medicines.