Common Migraine Headache Triggers and Causes

Here, you will get a basic understanding of some common migraine headache triggers.

Sufferers of migraine headaches know the meaning of pain. Migraines are debilitating headaches that can last from a few minutes to a few days.

Though most everyone is familiar with the term 'migraine headache', it is medically known as 'migraine syndrome'. A syndrome simply means that all, or most, of the signs, symptoms, and characteristics are present.

Signs and Symptoms of Migraine Headaches

The signs and / or symptoms of a migraine headache include intense pain, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Also, migraines are often accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

A migraine can stay on one side of the head or the other, or it can move around, seemingly at will. The pain of the headache may be preceded by 'auras'. When auras are present, you may see bright spots or your vision may seem wavy or blurry and dizziness often occurs.

Migraine Headache Triggers and Causes

The causes of migraines are a little cloudy, but there are certain things that can act as migraine headache triggers, setting off these incapacitating headaches in those who are prone to them.

Stress is a huge factor in the onset of migraines. Fatigue, too, plays a part in causing migraine attacks. Of course, these two factors also contribute to a host of other degenerative diseases.

The weather and disruptions in normal sleep patterns can also be a factor.

In addition, you may have a food or chemical sensitivity that triggers your headaches. Some foods which may be a migraine headache trigger include alcoholic beverages, avocados, chocolate, as well as peanuts.

Hormonal changes, too, could play a part in migraine attacks, with some believing that hormones play an active role in migraine frequency and intensity. This makes women more susceptible to migraines. The hormones in birth control pills are believed to be a contributing factor in migraines for some women.

These possible causes and triggers of migraines should, as far as be possible, be identified and avoided. However, the reality is also that such attacks often take place without any obvious trigger which can be avoided or prevented.

Theories on True Causes of Migraines

What is the true, underlying cause of migraines? This is a point which has been hotly discussed for many decades, with no clear conclusion.

Two main theories exist - one relates migraines to epileptic seizures, believing that migraines originate in the human brain's nervous tissue; the other theory postulates that headaches result when blood vessels within the skull contract or dilate. In truth, there is a great likelihood that a few factors are at play, each contributing to the pain and discomfort of migraine attacks.

Types of Migraine Headaches

As we discuss the possible migraine headache triggers, it would also be useful to understand that there are varying types of migraines. Some people may be more predisposed to certain types than others.

In general, migraine types are classified by their predominant symptoms. Some migraine types are:

• The ophthalmic migraine - typified by pain around the eyes and visual disturbances. With these migraines, the sensitivity to light is heightened along with the pain.
  
  
• Hemiplegic migraines are often characterized by weakness or temporary paralysis lasting up to an hour, as well as visual or speech disturbances. Normally, people affected by this type of migraine began having migraines when they were children or young adults.
  
  
• Menstrual migraines occur only during menstruation. Such migraines may be the easiest to treat, since the timing coincides with the menstrual cycle.
  
  
• The Basilar migraine often begins with the 'aura' and is accompanied by confusion and an unsteady gait or dizziness. Tinnitus and vomiting usually occur with this migraine. With this particular type, pain is most intense at the back of the head, and it affects mostly young adult women.

Identifying your own unique migraine headache triggers can help you to prevent and treat this potentially debilitating condition. Of course, an overall healthy diet and lifestyle goes a long way, too, in preventing and healing this ailment.

For more information on migraine headache triggers, symptoms, remedies, treatments, and other facts, read the other related migraine pages and articles.

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