What Triggers Migraine Headaches?

Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches, but many cannot. Potential migraine triggers include:

• Allergies and allergic reactions.
• Bright lights, loud noises, flickering lights, smoky rooms, temperature changes, strong smells and certain odors or perfumes.
• Physical or emotional stress, tension, anxiety, depression, excitement.
• Physical triggers such as tiredness, jet lag, exercise.
• Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep.
• Smoking or exposure to smoke.
• Skipping meals or fasting causing low blood sugar.
• Dehydration.
• Alcohol.
• Hormonal triggers such as menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills and menopause.
• Tension headaches.
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs and salami).
• Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods.
• Medication such as sleeping tablets, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy.