Sometimes, migraines come when you least expect them. You’re going about your normal routine, and something gets in the way of it—a smell, a change in the weather, a small alteration in your schedule… and you start experiencing that familiar pain. A migraine doctor can help you manage this.
Every migraine patient is unique and affected by different stimuli. Identifying what specific triggers affect you can help you avoid them, treat your migraine, and move forward in your healing process.
Common Migraine Triggers
While there isn’t one common cause of migraines, research has shown that there are repeated triggers that affect a big percentage of people who suffer from this ailment. Among the most common, you will find:
Stress
A study showed that 80% of people who suffered from migraine identified stress as a trigger. Severe episodes of stress affect and damage your brain’s structure and functions—and when your brain is altered, migraines can take place. Since chronic pain creates more stress, it becomes a recurring factor and makes it difficult to break the pattern.
Hormones
Hormonal changes are one of the most common causes of migraines around the world, and this especially affects women. The different menstrual cycle phases, pregnancy, and menopause cause important hormonal fluctuations that impact overall health. For example, right before the period, there is a drop in estrogen which is linked to migraines. Hormone and migraine correlation is the reason why this ailment is three times more common in women.
Changes in Your Sleep Pattern
Not getting enough sleep can cause migraines to be more common. Migraine brains need stability, and sleep issues like insomnia challenge that. Your migraine doctor will probably recommend adjusting your sleep schedule, exercising during the day, and avoiding foods or caffeine before bedtime. Integrating these small changes can improve your quality of sleep and the effect it has on your migraines.
The Weather
Weather changes can include, but are not limited to, extreme temperatures, high humidity, dry air, barometric pressure alterations, change of seasons, etc. For some people, these fluctuations can alter brain chemicals, including serotonin, and cause migraines. Weather-related triggers could also worsen an already existing migraine.
Certain Substances
Certain substances present in our routines, like caffeine or alcohol, can cause migraines.
- Caffeine: some people use caffeine to control migraines since it might help to reduce inflammation—when taken in small doses. If you consume caffeine regularly, you can develop dependency, have more regular migraines, or even suffer from withdrawal symptoms that can include strong headaches.
- Alcohol: alcoholic beverages present several chemicals that can have a role in triggering a migraine. For example, congeners and ethanol are both linked to headaches. Alcohol also contains and stimulates histamine production, which boosts inflammation throughout the body.
Dehydration
Dehydration can be linked to migraines because of a couple of factors. First of all, when you are dehydrated, your brain can’t keep its regular balance, which affects its electrical function. The lack of fluids may also shrink your brain tissues and put pressure on your nerves, creating pain.
Irregular Mealtimes
Skipping meals, fasting without the proper method, or having inconsistent meal schedules can cause alterations in your blood sugar levels and, in some cases, trigger migraines. Not eating healthy or not eating enough can also worsen other migraine symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and muscle weakness.
Sensory Stimuli
Just like it happens with weather fluctuations, getting exposed to powerful sensory stimuli such as strong smells, loud noises, or bright lights, can alter brain chemicals and prompt or aggravate migraine attacks.
➡ While you’re waiting for your migraine consultation, read the top 5 Tips from the Best Migraine Doctor in Webster, Texas
How To Manage Common Migraine Triggers
Sadly, there’s no universal answer on how to prevent and/or manage migraines and how your body responds to certain triggers. However, that’s exactly what migraine and pain management clinics are for.
During your consultation with a migraine doctor in Webster, Texas, you will discover how your migraine impacts your daily life, and hopefully pinpoint what the triggers that affect you the most are. From there on, they can help you design a plan to avoid them, understand the root of your problem, prescribe medication and other additional treatments, and therefore reduce your attacks.
When to See a Migraine Doctor in Webster, Texas?
Isolated headaches every once in a while are usually nothing to worry about—everybody goes through them. However, if you have been experiencing recurring headaches, accompanied by stronger and incapacitating symptoms; or if your OTC medication isn’t alleviating your pain anymore, you should visit a specialized doctor.
How Can Our Pain Management Clinic Help You?
At Space City Pain, we are committed to getting to the core of your pain and treating it, rather than managing it, so you can go back to your best self. We also specialize in offering a holistic approach with alternatives to medication, as we know that OTC meditation may relieve the symptoms for a while, but lead to a bigger problem down the line.
Our board certified healthcare providers have made Space City Pain a pioneer in pain management in the community since 2004. Our friendly, bilingual, and highly specialized staff excels at providing pain relief to patients. If you are looking to get back to your old self and a pain-free life, book an appointment by calling 281-338-4443 or send us a message online today.
We don’t manage pain, we treat it.