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WHAT CAUSES A MIGRAINE?

The exact cause of migraine is uncertain, although various theories are being studied. One theory favored by many researchers is that migraine is due to a vulnerability of the nervous system to sudden changes in either your body or the environment around you. Many researchers believe that migraine sufferers have inherited a more sensitive nervous system response than those without migraine. During a migraine attack, changes in brain activity produce inflamed blood vessels and nerves around the brain. Migraine medication may produce relief by quieting sensitive nerve pathways and reducing the inflammation response.

TRIGGERS OR "PROVOKERS" OF MIGRAINES

Certain factors can provoke or trigger migraine in some people. If the pattern of your attacks of migraine suggests that you are sensitive to stimuli or triggers that you can easily avoid, your physician may help you modify your lifestyle. Keeping a migraine headache diary will help you and your physician identify specific triggers. Not all migraines have the same provoking factors nor do all these factors necessarily provoke an attack

DIET

There are a number of dietary triggers that have been reported, these include: alcohol, especially red wine; foods with monosodium glutamate (MSG) (see Table 2); foods that contain tyramine, such as aged cheeses; and preserved meats with nitrates and nitrites (see Table 3). Your migraine headache diary is an important tool for identifying migraine triggers. This will help you and your physician identify associations between your diet and migraine.

TABLE 2 - FOODS CONTAINING MSG

Accent Seasoning frozen pizza
bacon bits gelatins
baking mixtures Oriental foods
bouillon cubes potato chips
bread stuffing pot pies
breaded foods processed meats
canned meats relishes
cheese dips salad dressings
clam chowder salt substitutes
corn chips seasonings
croutons soups
dry roasted peanuts soy sauce
frozen dinners  

TABLE 3 - SOME FOODS CONTAINING NITRATES

bacon liverwurst
bratwurst pastrami
beef jerky pork and beans
corn dogs salami
corned beef sausage
ham smoked fish
hot dogs Spam
lunch meats turkey lunch meats



SLEEP

Too much or too little sleep can trigger a migraine attack. If your diary reveals that is a cause, adjusting your sleep schedule may prevent migraines. Possible solutions are going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning. It is important to adhere to this schedule, even on weekends and holidays, to prevent migraines.

HORMONES

Many women with migraine have attacks linked to their menstrual cycles. Fluctuating estrogen levels are thought to play a role. Menstrual migraines can be more debilitating, difficult to treat, and last longer than other migraines. Migraine also may worsen in early pregnancy, but in later pregnancy, it generally improves. Migraine typically declines in frequency as women age. There is evidence that oral contraceptives or estrogen-replacement therapy can provoke or worsen migraine in some women.

STRESS & ANXIETY

Emotional stress or response to life's daily pressure can trigger a migraine attack in some individuals. Managing the stress in your life could help alleviate migraines. Some steps toward doing this are completing large jobs in small increments throughout a given time period instead of all at once. Learn to relax and let go of things beyond your control. Exercise and meditation have also been found to help with migraine pain.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Environmental triggers of migraine headaches include weather or temperature changes, glaring or fluorescent lights, computer screens, strong odors, and high altitude.

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