These triggers are very individual, but it may help to keep a diary to see if you can identify a consistent trigger. It can also sometimes be difficult to tell if something is really a trigger or if what you're experiencing is an early symptom of a migraine attack.
Some women experience migraines around the time of their period, possibly because of changes in the levels of hormones such as oestrogen around this time. These type of migraines usually occur between 2 days before the start of your period to 3 days after. Some women only experience migraines around this time, which is known as pure menstrual migraine. This swelling can cause pain or other problems. Another aspect that is being studied is that migraine headaches go along with a spreading pattern of electrical activity in the brain.
Some research suggests there could be a heredity factor for migraines, meaning they may run in families. Researchers have identified some genes associated with migraines. They are unsure, though, why these genes seem to impact some people more than others. Ultimately, migraines seem to be caused by a combination of factors: genetic, environmental, and lifestyle.
Women are more likely to have chronic migraines migraines that occur 15 days a month or more. This is likely linked to hormones. Hormones fluctuate each month around the time of your period.
They can also fluctuate if you are pregnant or going through menopause. Your doctor can diagnose migraines by the symptoms you describe.
If the diagnosis is not clear, your doctor will perform a physical exam. These tests can help ensure there are no other causes for the headache. You may also be asked to keep a headache journal. This can help your doctor identify the things that might cause your migraines.
Read More. Medicine to prevent migraines may be helpful if your headaches happen more than 2 times a month. You may want to consider this medicine if your headaches make it hard for you to work and function.
These medicines are taken every day, whether you have a headache or not. Preventive medications for migraines can include prescription drugs often used to treat other ailments. Anti-seizure medicines, antidepressants, medicines to lower blood pressure, and even Botox injections are some of the preventive medications your doctor may prescribe. Calcitonin gene-related peptide CGRP inhibitors can also help prevent migraines. They do so by blocking a gene-related peptide in your sensory nerves.
This peptide is known to increase during a migraine attack, so blocking it can help prevent migraines. There are also a number of non-medical treatments designed to help minimize migraine pain and frequency. One is an electrical stimulation device, which has been approved by the FDA.
It is a headband that you wear once a day for 20 minutes to stimulate the nerve linked to migraines. Another non-medical treatment is counseling aimed at helping you feel in more control of your migraines. This counseling works best when paired with medical prevention of migraines, as well. While there are no sure ways to keep from having migraine headaches, here are some things that may help:.
There are 2 types of medicines for migraine treatments. Talk to your doctor about which of these two types of medicine is best for you. Some people use both types. Nonprescription and prescription medicines that are used often or in large doses may cause other problems.
For mild to moderate migraines, over-the-counter medicines that may help relieve migraine pain include:. A medicine called ergotamine can be effective alone or combined with other medicines.
Dihydroergotamine is related to ergotamine and can be helpful. Other prescription medicines for migraines include sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan, and frovatriptan. These medicines can be habit-forming and should be used cautiously. Your doctor may prescribe these only if they are needed and only for a short period of time. Migraines can come on quickly, many times without warning. They can ruin your day—or even several days at a time.
They can make you miss work, miss important events, miss out on fun. Work with your doctor to take back control. Keep a migraine journal. Document when you get migraines and what you were doing and eating. Keep a record of what the weather was like and if you were exposed to unusual smells or environments.
Knowing your triggers can help you prevent migraines. You doctor also may prescribe different medicines or combinations of medicines. Doing this helps sort out which will be most effective for preventing migraines or stopping them when they start.
Funding and support for this material have been provided by The Allergan Foundation. This article was contributed by: familydoctor. This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone.
Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject. There are several different types of headaches. Migraines and tension headaches are the most common. Botulinum toxin, or Botox, is used to treat muscle spasms and other conditions.
It is injected into the affected…. Some are easily treated, while others…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Food Poisoning. Acute Bronchitis. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. That being said, if you get too dependent on caffeine , going off of it can cause a rebound headache also known as a withdrawal headache. For many people with migraines, bright lights, flashing lights, loud noises, and strong smells can trigger migraines.
Like caffeine, sleep has a complicated relationship to headaches. Getting too little or too much sleep can trigger a migraine, and any time you throw off your routine—like when you have jetlag or take on shift-work—you might be more likely to have an attack, states the Migraine Trust. If you get migraines, you might notice that sudden weather changes , like an incoming storm or a cold front, can seem to cause a migraine. Rebound headaches, also known as medication overuse headaches, are one of the most alarming migraine triggers.
The basic idea is this: Taking your migraine medication too often can cause more migraines kind of like caffeine withdrawal. The good news? To get migraine treatment that actually works for you, the most important step is to talk with your doctor.
However, tracking your triggers is a simple way for you to take control of your condition—it can help you prevent migraines when possible and predict them when not. The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor. Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash. Sara Crystal, MD. Neurologist, Cove Medical Director.
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