5 Common Migraine Triggers

Jul 19, 2018

Regular migraine sufferers generally already have an idea of some things that trigger their headaches, but it's always a good idea to keep track of the things you eat and drink if you find you are getting them more frequently. Even food that seems healthy can sometimes be a migraine trigger.

Everyone's triggers are different, so while you can't always go by the experiences of others, it can be helpful to know what some of the common causes of migraines are.

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Even people who do not suffer from migraines get headaches from alcohol, so it makes sense that it would also be a trigger for migraines. Alcohol also increases dehydration, and this is another migraine trigger. The amino acid tyramine, which is found in alcohol, is a headache trigger. Many people find that red wines and dark liquors are the types of alcohol that are most likely to cause a headache or a migraine. You might have to experiment with different alcohols to see if any are less likely to cause a headache or cut it out altogether.

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Like alcohol, chocolate contains tyramine. Women going through hormonal changes during certain parts of their menstrual cycle may crave chocolate. Unfortunately, chocolate might be even more likely to induce a headache if a person's body is already feeling out of balance. If chocolate seems to be causing migraines or headaches, it might be necessary to replace it with another treat.

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A lot of people made the switch to artificial sweeteners because they believed they would be healthier than sugar, but that no longer seems so clear cut. Aspartame is one commonly used sugar replacement and is found in a variety of sugar-free foods. However, along with other artificial sweeteners, aspartame is also a migraine trigger. It may be best to simply cut back on your consumption of sugar instead of replacing it with artificial sweeteners.

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A lot of people love fast food as a quick snack or meal, so it may come as bad news to them that it could also cause migraines. There are a number of additives in the processed food you get at fast food places such as MSG, nitrates and sulfites that can trigger headaches. You might be able to find a fast food place that does not have this effect on you, or you might have to give up fast food altogether.

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We need sodium in our diets, but most of us get too much of it. There is a lot of added sodium in processed food, and it could trigger a migraine. You can check food labels for sodium levels and opt for those that are lower in salt.

A typical healthy diet of vegetables, fruit, lean meat, fish, and grains is one of the best ways to avoid a migraine along with cutting out caffeine, alcohol and processed foods. Let us know your own migraine prevention tips.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!