4 Common Migraine Triggers
Several things can trigger a migraine attack. Starting from some foods to stress, many factors can play a role in causing an excruciating headache. Hence, you must steer clear of these triggers. So, here are the top triggers for migraines which you should know about.
Stress
Stress is one of the top triggers for migraines. Stress is the trigger for about 70% of migraine patients. A study showed a link between the daily stress levels and the migraine activity in 50 to 70 percent of the participants. To cope with migraine-causing stress list down the things that lead to a stressful situation. Once you have the list with you, it becomes easy to stay away from those triggers. You can also practice relaxation therapy, go for a good workout session and maintain a healthy sleep cycle to keep stress away.
Improper sleep cycle
Your sleep cycle can have a significant impact on your migraine activity. While you sleep, all the parts so the body including the brain undergo a repair procedure. Therefore, when your sleep cycle is irregular or disturbed, it can be a direct trigger for a migraine attack.
Also, almost 50 percent of the migraine attacks take place between 4 am and 9 am. This can have a massive impact on the sleep cycle and can lead to sleep disorders. To tackle any problems with your sleep cycle, you can make and follow a sleep schedule. It is best to sleep at the same time every night. Try to get eight hours of sleep at least. Keep away from television, mobile phones, or reading before bed. You must also avoid sleep during the daytime.
Hormones
Hormones can have a significant role to play in triggering migraines. Women are thrice more likely to experience migraine as compared to men. Also, as many as 75 percent of women have been found to experience migraine attacks during their menstrual cycle. This is often referred to as menstrual migraine that occurs when there is a change in the progesterone and estrogen levels in a female’s body.
Lifestyle changes and change in dietary habits can prove to be beneficial in controlling migraine triggered by a change in hormones. Besides, several birth control methods can normalize the hormone levels in the body and fight any migraine attacks in the future. Consulting a headache specialist or a gynecologist is also recommended.
Alcohol or caffeine consumption
In many cases, the consumption of caffeine and alcohol is linked with migraine symptoms. Several migraine patients linked red wine with their migraine activity. Also, other alcohol types are found to be equally harmful. To fight this, know when to limit your consumption of alcohol. In case you are experiencing migraine symptoms after drinking alcohol, take your medication immediately.