| If you suffer from migraines, more likely than not - | | | | a migraine attack.) |
| you have read about migraine triggers, but you may | | | | Can I prevent migraine attacks by avoiding triggers? |
| be wondering - what are they, are they real, and if | | | | Yes but it can be difficult to identify all of one's |
| avoiding the "touch offs" really can prevent migraines. | | | | triggers and once identified, some triggers are difficult |
| What are migraine triggers? | | | | to avoid. Why are some triggers difficult to identify? |
| "Trigger" is just another word for a type of stimulus | | | | Many types of triggers such as food or changes in |
| that causes a reaction in one's body that leads to a | | | | weather can cause migraines - but not immediately. |
| migraine attack. It is not that uncommon for people | | | | Instead the reaction is delayed by anywhere from a |
| to equate "triggers" with "allergies." This comparison is | | | | couple hours to a couple days. This can make |
| not accurate. An allergy is an immune system | | | | pinpointing exact causes more difficult. This is also |
| response to a foreign substance whereas a trigger | | | | why many headache and migraine specialists |
| simply ignites a condition that has already developed. | | | | recommend keeping a headache and migraine journal. |
| Do headache and migraine triggers really exist? | | | | Certain triggers can be difficult to avoid. For example, |
| For most sufferers, yes. The most important factor | | | | many people find that particularly strong odors can |
| to understand about triggers is that not everyone is | | | | trigger migraines. If you know to avoid places with |
| affected by the same triggers. In addition, most | | | | very strong odors, this can help to avoid a migraine |
| people have what is called a "trigger threshold" - a | | | | attack. However, sometimes these types of triggers |
| maximum amount of cumulative trigger tolerance | | | | are difficult to avoid as one never knows when |
| before a migraine attack is triggered. This complexity | | | | someone may walk near by with a particularly strong |
| is what leads many headache and migraine sufferers | | | | perfume. |
| to to doubt the existence of triggers. The truth is, | | | | Other migraine sufferers are burdened by being |
| your triggers are unique and your trigger threshold is | | | | especially sensitive to triggers. If even the smallest |
| also unique. One person may get a migraine after | | | | bit of exposure can trigger a migraine, avoidance is |
| being exposed to cigarette smoke, whereas another | | | | going to be especially difficult. |
| will not. Sometimes red wine may trigger a migraine, | | | | Additionally, as mentioned above - some triggers may |
| but for some people only when combined with | | | | not cause migraines on their own but rather in |
| skipping meals or sleeping too little (an example of | | | | combination with other triggers. This can make |
| how it can sometimes take multiple triggers to start | | | | identifying triggers much more complicated. |