Migraine prevention
For those who suffer from migraines, prevention of the headache is often the
best policy. The reason for this is simple: The further along the process a
migraine moves the harder it will be to alleviate the pain and other symptoms
as they grow in intensity. The earlier one can address the symptoms, the
easier migraine prevention becomes, and if you can prevent the symptoms from
occurring in the first place, your chances of avoiding a migraine altogether
are greatly enhanced.
Study after study has shown that migraines are often associated with triggers. These triggers can take many forms and are not the same for all persons who experience migraines. One of the key issues of migraine prevention is learning which triggers set off the migraine process in each person, while keeping in mind that each person will be affected by different triggers.
In the area of migraine prevention, there are some common triggers. Often, eliminating the more common triggers as factors which may induce a migraine in a particular person is a good starting point. The following is a list of some of the most commonly known triggers that can produce a migraine.
Certain Foods: High on the list of risk factors for migraines are certain foods. Fried or fatty foods have been shown to bring on the symptoms of migraines in many people. The same is true with certain processed meats such as potted meat and hot dogs. The use of MSG (monosodium glutamate) is another risk factor. Cheeses as well as chocolate have both been shown to cause the onset of migraine symptoms in people. Beans, various nuts, and certain types of onions may also be linked to migraines. Foods containing tyramine have been proven to cause migraine symptoms in those who are intolerant of the chemical. Tyramine is often used in dried fish, pickled herrings, yogurt, and sour cream to name a few.
Learning which foods may affect you should be a priority for anyone who suffers from migraines. The best way to accomplish this is to keep a food log. Simply write down what foods were consumed prior to a migraine attack and then avoid those foods in the future. Because food intolerances are such a common cause of migraines, many people may find that this is all they need to do to help prevent future migraines.
Stress and Tension: Next on the list of most popular causes for migraines is stress. Many people have a tendency to discount the impact that stress can have on the body. Increased levels of stress have been shown to bring on the symptoms of migraines in otherwise healthy people. High levels of stress can also have negative effects on other body functions as well, including high blood pressure and heart disease. Reducing stress through meditation, biofeedback, or simply taking deep breaths can often help in preventing migraines.
Caffeine: Some people may experience the symptoms of migraine after they have consumed caffeine. The amount of caffeine needed to bring on the symptoms varies from person to person. If during the review of your migraine log you notice a pattern of consuming caffeinated beverages prior to migraine onset this may be the cause of the headache.
Smoking: Tobacco use and smoking in particular has been shown to induce the symptoms of migraines in some people.
Hormone Changes: Many women report the onset of migraines after they begin using birth control pills or hormone replacement therapies. If you suspect that either of these may be the cause of your migraines, you should consult with your physician. Do not stop taking medications without proper medical supervision.
Sleep Patterns: Researchers are beginning to believe that poor sleeping habits may have a big impact on those who have migraines. Studies are showing that those individuals who get a complete night of sleep often have fewer migraines than those who sleep less or sleep fitfully. If you suspect that your sleeping patterns are poor, you may want to try to changing them to see if that change also changes your frequency of migraine attacks.
Environment: Persons who suffer from migraines should also be aware of the environment issues that can bring on an attack. Again, keeping a log is the best way to narrow down what, if any, environmental issues may be affecting you.
Some of the more common factors in this category include such things as bright lights or flickering lights. Some people have reported that fluorescent lighting as a cause for their migraines. In addition to lighting issues, strong odors, even perfume, has been linked to migraine onset. Under this same umbrella are fumes from factories as well as second-hand smoke from tobacco products. For a few sufferers, the movement from hot temperatures to cool temperatures has been suspected as a causal factor. This might happen when a person moves from a hot outdoor environment into a cool, air-conditioned environment.
Once you discover which, if any, of these factors is responsible for your migraine onset, you can avoid those factors and, hopefully, prevent the migraine from happening at all.