A migraine is an intense pounding headache on one, or sometimes both sides of the head. Migraine usually begins in the forehead, the side of the head, or around the eyes and gradually gets more severe. Just about any movement, activity, bright light, or loud noise makes the pain worse. Nausea and vomit are the common symptoms during a migraine. Around 1 in every 7 people suffer from migraine. Depression and anxiety are more common in people with migraine. Scientists and researchers have found certain triggers which initiate an attack of migraine. Let us list down the common triggers and the ways to avoid migraine.
Stress
According to a study, 50 to 80 percent of people living with migraine report that their attacks are linked to stress. Some people specifically experience migraine after a stressful event/events. It is a very reasonable advice to control stress levels if you want to prevent migraine. People who do not manage stress well can have many other health issues as well like stomach pain, sleeping problems, illness and depression. Various stress relieving techniques such as yoga and meditation prevents your stress levels from rising and is one of the important ways to avoid migraine.
Inadequate Sleep
Poor sleep is one of the most common factors linked to migraine and is often cited as a trigger for acute attacks of migraine. If you have an erratic sleep schedule, not only are you prone to develop migraine but are also at an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Many people report that sleep often relieves their migraine headaches. Sleep is vital for the brain, it recharges necessary nutrients, removes waste and consolidates memory. Hit the bed early, follow sleep hygiene, avoid electronic devices in bed and avoid unplanned daytime naps.
Thirst and Hunger
Research has shown that skipping meals is frequently linked to the onset of migraine. Fasting is also a very common trigger for migraine. It remains uncertain how this happens and it is probably related to falling blood glucose levels. Dehydration also, has been suggested as a possible migraine trigger due to involvement of hypothalamus( thirst and hunger center of the brain). A survey of people with migraine revealed that inadequate fluid intake was linked to headache onset in about 40 percent of responders. Therefore one of the essential ways to avoid migraine is to time your meals/drink plenty of water.
Foods and Food Additives
Certain foods are frequently reported as possible triggers for a migraine attack. The most common substances associated with migraine attacks are chocolates, caffeine and alcohol. If you are suffering from migraine, it is best to avoid these. Other foods frequently associated with migraine include cheese, fermented and pickled foods, which contain large amounts of the amino acid tyramine. Therefore avoiding these foods is one of the ways to avoid migraine.
Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages
Alcohol is the reason for migraine in about 33 percent of the people. A closer look at the study’s numbers show that red wine disproportionately affects women, around 22 percent reported migraine headaches following red wine consumption. Some experts have reported that excessive caffeine consumption can trigger migraine attacks. There suggest that it is wise to monitor your intake of caffeine from coffee, tea, soft drinks and energy drinks. That sudden burst of energy that you get from these beverages is actually caffeine playing its role. People with migraine must strictly avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as these are notorious for causing intense migraine attacks.