MIGRAINE CAUSES ‣

MIGRAINE CAUSES

GATEWAY PHARMACY

The main cause of a migraine is not particularly known, but a lot of activities have been known to trigger them.

Many possible migraine triggers have been suggested, including hormonal, emotional, physical, dietary, environmental and medicinal factors.

These mentioned triggers are not particularly for any individual, but you can keep a record of these cases to know what causes your migraine.

Hormonal changes

Some women experience migraines around the time of their period, possibly because of changes in the levels of hormones such as estrogen around this time.

These type of migraines usually occur between two days before the start of your period to three days after. Some women only experience migraines around this time, which is known as pure menstrual migraine. However, most women experience them at other times too and this is called menstrually related migraine.

Many women find their migraines improve after the menopause, although the menopause can trigger migraines or make them worse in some women.

Emotional causes:

Ø stress

Ø anxiety

Ø tension

Ø shock

Ø depression

Ø excitement

Physical causes:

Ø tiredness

Ø poor quality sleep

Ø shift work

Ø poor posture

Ø neck or shoulder tension

Ø jet lag

Ø low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Ø strenuous exercise, if you’re not used to it

Dietary causes:

Ø missed, delayed or irregular meals

Ø dehydration

Ø alcohol

Ø the food additive tyramine

Ø caffeine products, such as tea and coffee

Ø specific foods such as chocolate, citrus fruit, and cheese

Environmental causes:

Ø bright lights

Ø flickering screens, such as a television or computer screen

Ø smoking (or smoky rooms)

Ø loud noises

Ø changes in climate, such as changes in humidity or very cold temperatures

Ø strong smells

Ø a stuffy atmosphere

Medication:

Ø some types of sleeping tablets

Ø the combined contraceptive pill

Other factors that make you more prone to having migraines, including:

  • Family history: If you have a family member with migraines, then you have a good chance of developing them too.
  • Age: Migraines can begin at any age, though the first often occurs during adolescence. Migraines tend to peak during your 30s and gradually become less severe and less frequent in the following decades.
  • Sex: Women are three times more likely to have migraines. Headaches tend to affect boys more than girls during childhood, but by the time of puberty and beyond, more girls are affected.

These attributes stated above are not completely correct because they are the other factors which might make it possible for an individual to get a migraine. The stated causes or triggers are the main factors to consider when we are specific about the causes of a migraine. It is also very important to state at this point that the triggers might not affect everybody in the same way. That is why it is advisable for anyone who has the possibility of getting a migraine to keep a diary or record of his/her triggers or causes. This will essentially help show the possible causes of their migraine.