Migraine Triggers That Can Be Controlled

Sleeping and waking routines

Either too much sleep or too little sleep can become a trigger for a migraine. It's difficult to control getting more or less, but if you can establish a routine and develop sleeping habits that can be followed religiously every day, then you may be surprised at just how quickly your migraines hit the road.

Food triggers

Various studies have pointed the finger at food as being the primary culprit when it comes to triggering migraines. Indeed, some studies have concluded that up to 25% of migraines may be caused by dietary factors. Many foods, food additives and other food-related constituents contain chemicals that affect blood pressure and it is this effect on the constriction of cranial vessels that triggers the migraines.

Among those chemicals that are found in food that have been linked to migraine development:

- Tryamine - found in some cheeses, red wine, pickled fish, and certain types of

processed meat.

- Phenyl ethylamine

- Sodium

- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

- Histam 5

Among the foods that have been identified by the National Headache Foundation as playing a role in migraine development are:

- Chocolate, cocoa and carob

- Nuts (including peanut butter even though peanuts are not a nut, but a legume)

- Citrus fruits, bananas, figs, red plums, and raisins

- Beans

- Bananas

- Pickles, marinated food.

- Dairy products

- Aspartame (NutraSweet)

- Overripe fruits

- Fermented products: soy sauce / breads with high yeast content.