What causes a Migraine?

There is a common misconception that migraines are just bad headaches. The truth is that migraines are much more than that. It is a neurological disease and can affect the quality of life. Even though migraine is the third most prevalent illnesses in the world, about half of the population with migraines are never diagnosed and do not seek medical care for it. If you are one of those people who suffer from a migraine, it is best to seek treatment to make them more manageable. Certain habits can trigger a migraine. Apart from getting the right migraine headache treatment, it would help if you avoided patterns that can trigger your migraines. Since everyone is different, you need to recognize which bad habits are causing your migraine. Here are some of the most common patterns that bring about migraines in people –

Being Stressed

Stress is one of the top triggers of migraines. If you work long hours or do something that makes you stressed, you might be prone to getting more headaches. It is essential to seek talk therapy or take antidepressants that will help you reduce stress. It is necessary that instead of trying to get rid of it altogether, you need to learn how to manage it so that it does not bother you. You can also try some stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques.

Trigger Foods

There are some foods that you eat that will trigger migraines. Foods such as caffeine, cheese, processed meat, chocolate, MSG, and others can trigger migraines. Doctors suggest removing the trigger foods from the diet to check if it helps any bit. It is best to cut out a few foods at a time to identify the ones that are affecting you. For many people, alcohol might even be a trigger, but others may feel a little better by having a small amount of alcohol.

Excessive Screen Time

If you spend a lot of time in front of your computer or browse your phone, you may find yourself get migraines much more often. The light from the gadgets can trigger your migraine. You can try lowering the brightness or wearing light filtering glasses when you use the electronics. Also, when using those gadgets, keep them at eye level so that your posture is not wrong. Often pain in the shoulder or neck can trigger a headache too.

Irregular Sleep Pattern

Insufficient sleep can also trigger migraines. It is essential that you get quality sleep, even on the weekends. It is vital to create a bedtime routine and follow it religiously. One of the simple tips would be to limit screen time before bed. You can also turn down the lights and keep your pets out so that you are not disturbed and do not have to opt for a migraine headache treatment.

Overuse of Medications

Many times, your regular medicines or some of the over-the-counter ones can cause headaches. It is quite easy to overdo it with self-medication that can cause headaches to get worse. So, if you experience headaches, it is best to see a doctor and get a migraine headache treatment, so that you can receive the right treatment rather than try to ease it with over-the-counter medicines.

Strong Scents, Loud Noises, and Bright Lights

People who suffer from migraines are sensitive to certain smells, light, and noise. If smoke, strong perfume, or bright office lights trigger your migraine, you must avoid them as much as you can. You need to understand what your body does not like and prevent it from triggering your migraines.

Teeth Grinding

TMJ or Temporomandibular joint disorders cause your teeth to grind and can lead to jaw pain and can trigger tension. If you feel that you are grinding your teeth more, then it might be the reason for your migraines. You need to get it treated before it does any damage. Bring it up in your conversation the next time you visit your doctor.

Migraines can be painful to live with and can affect your daily life. You might be missing work or your family time due to the headaches. If you do happen to get headaches that do not seem to go away, it is best to meet with a doctor at the earliest. Your doctor would be able to provide you with preventive treatments to help keep your migraine under control. Sometimes migraines can be much more than headaches and can be a sign of something serious like stroke or cancer. So, you mustn’t ignore your headaches and seek migraine headache treatment to help you manage the symptoms.