Migraine headaches are the third most prevalent illness in the world, ranking it among the most common of debilitating conditions worldwide. Thirty-nine million Americans and over 1 billion people internationally suffer from migraines. If you experience migraines, you may have identified specific triggers that lead to an attack or perhaps make an attack even worse. Not everyone knows what their migraine triggers are, so here is a list of the most common migraine triggers and tips for reducing or eliminating them.
1.Stress – stress is the number one trigger of migraines. Nearly 70% of migraine sufferers report stress as an influencer to their migraine activity. To complicate matters more, anxiety from anticipating the next migraine could trigger an episode, leading to a vicious cycle that is difficult to get out of. In order to limit stress, it’s a good idea to find what your major sources of daily stress are and do what you can that’s realistic in reducing or eliminating them. A few activities that can help with managing daily stresses are exercise, relaxation therapies, and techniques like controlled breathing.
2. Sleep – maintaining a consistent sleep and wake schedule can greatly help migraine sufferers. Getting regular sleep, and enough of it, is vital for our bodies to repair and to feel refreshed. If sleep is inconsistent or interrupted, you could be more vulnerable to migraine attacks. Preparing for a scheduled bedtime that provides 7-8 hours in bed, staying away from naps if possible, and creating a sleep-conducive environment help prevent migraines.
3. Caffeine –it is especially important that migraine sufferers do not overdo it. More than 4 to 5 cups of caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, or soda) on a daily basis can have a direct effect on the migraine onset. But eliminating caffeine altogether could trigger a migraine episode as well. If you’d like to lower your caffeine intake, it is a good idea to do it gradually. Be aware that caffeine is in products such as over-the-counter painkillers, chocolate, and energy drinks.
4. Hormonal changes in women – women are three times more likely to have migraines than men. Up to three-quarters of women who suffer from migraines reported that they have them near the time of their menstrual cycle. Migraines at this time of the month are most likely due to the abrupt changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone.
5. Food – about 10% of people who suffer from migraines can pinpoint specific foods that trigger an episode. Sometimes something yummy like chocolate can be to blame. Sometimes simply skipping a meal can lead to a migraine attack. Once you are aware that your migraines have food-related triggers, staying on a regular meal schedule and incorporating nutritious snacks throughout the day can be helpful.
6. Environmental factors – usually, these are not factors we can control. Things like humidity levels, barometric pressure, altitude, and glare from the sun could all lead to the onset of migraines for many people.
7. Tyramine – tyramine is a substance found in foods that are well-known migraine triggers. Aged cheeses, cured meats, and smoked fish naturally contain tyramine. Smoked, pickled, aged or fermented foods can all contain tyramine.
8. Dehydration – even mild levels of dehydration could negatively affect people who have migraines. Tracking your water intake and steering clear of diuretics are good steps to take in staying adequately hydrated. The recommended daily water intake varies based on age, sex, and other health factors. General guidelines state that it’s best for women to drink about 11.5 cups of water daily, and men should drink about 15.5 cups. This includes fluids from water, food, and other drinks.
9. Medication overuse – if you suffer from chronic migraines and use medications (prescribed or over-the-counter) each time an episode occurs, the prescriptions could be the reason behind your attacks. This is a very common problem for chronic sufferers and is referred to as a medication overuse headache. Discuss with your chiropractor ways to reduce or alter your migraine medications to stop this cycle.
10. Smells – some smells can cause a migraine attack or worsen one that’s already happening. A few of the most commonly reported smells known for triggering migraines are strong perfumes, gasoline, chemicals, and certain strong food smells.
Getting Migraine Relief That Is Both Natural and Lasting
If you have suffered from migraines for a long time, you may feel as though you have exhausted the relief options that are available while still coming up short with any long-term solutions. Upper cervical chiropractors have assisted migraine sufferers by examining them for a specific kind of misalignment that happens in the upper vertebrae of the neck. Not surprisingly, many migraine sufferers have neck pain prior, during, or after an attack. It seems that when looking for root causes for migraines, overlooking the parts of the body that are connected to the head would be similar to overlooking possible suspects who are clearly associated with a crime.
The atlas vertebra is located beneath the skull and plays the vital role of protecting the brainstem, the same way that the vertebrae beneath it shield the spinal cord within them. An atlas misalignment can occur due to an injury or accident, or wear and tear over long periods of time. This can cause brainstem irritation, as well as irritation to the nearby nerves and tissues, which can lead to symptoms such as migraines. Another effect that an atlas misalignment can have is disrupting healthy blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid flow from the head and neck, which could also contribute to migraine onset.
At N8 Upper Cervical, we use precise measurements when examining these misalignments, and then using gentle, effective upper cervical adjustments, we correct the issue. These types of adjustments are designed to hold for as long as possible, which gives the body more time to naturally heal itself around the correction. This has led to extreme relief for migraine sufferers, and many people report less-frequent and less-severe migraine episodes. Call us today for a free consultation where you will learn about what upper cervical chiropractic care can do for you.
References:
http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
https://www.migrainetrust.org/about-migraine/trigger-factors/common-triggers/
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/understanding-migraine/sleep-insomnia-and-migrainge/
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