There are many triggers that can cause a migraine attack and the only way to find out what your personal triggers are, is to record every aspect of your day to day living in a diary. By recording what you did prior to a migraine attack in a diary, you will be able to identify and eliminate those potential migraine triggers.
When you start recording in your diary, remember you must make notes of everything and I mean everything you did before a migraine attack.
I have listed below some of the more common triggers, although it is worth noting that what may be a migraine trigger for one sufferer may not necessarily be a trigger for another.
1. Your diet can be a migraine trigger, so make sure you avoid those foods and drinks that can cause you problems, in other words watch what you eat and drink. There are many common food triggers such as those that contain additives and preservatives, natural food substances like tyramine (This can be found in aged foods and citrus fruits), alcohol (red wine and beer). The list of potential food migraine triggers is certainly not endless, but once you start recording the foods and drink that you consume, you will get a fair indication if any of them are responsible for your migraine triggers.
2. Not only can your diet be a trigger, but skipping meals or even fasting will have consequences for some sufferers.
3. Prescribed or non-prescribed medication may be the cause of a migraine trigger for some sufferers.
4. A less obvious trigger for migraines can be your working environment. If you work in a stuffy, smoky atmosphere or are exposed to bright or flickering lights this will more than likely be a potential trigger.
5. Exercise is for most people a healthy habit, however strenuous exercise especially if you are not used to it can be a trigger.
6. Lack of sleep or overtiredness.
7. Women sufferers should keep a record of their menstrual cycle.
Once you have set about recording all the outside possible or potential triggers, then turn your attention to the symptoms and the attack itself and record the effects.
When and how the headaches started.
- Did you have a vision problem?
- Did you feel sick or vomit?
- How long did the attack last for?
- Where is the pain?
Keeping a migraine trigger diary will not cure your migraine, but at least it will make you aware of the possible triggers and give you enough information to help relieve your suffering from this debilitating condition.