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The exact cause of migraine isn’t fully understood. However, healthcare professionals have determined that certain factors can increase your risk of migraine or trigger a migraine episode.
A combination of genetics and environmental factors may contribute to migraine. You may be more likely to experience migraine if you have a family history of the condition.
People assigned female at birth are also
A 2008 study of 200 people with migraine found that most participants reported at least one dietary trigger. Fasting was the most common dietary trigger, followed by alcohol and chocolate.
Other commonly reported triggers:
- sleep disturbances (81%)
- emotional stress (64%)
- hormonal factors (53%)
- odors (36.5%)
- physical activities (13%)
- sexual activities (2.5%)
Research consistently shows that skipping meals is frequently linked to the onset of migraine.
It remains unclear why this happens. However, it’s likely related to falling blood glucose levels.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly reported triggers for migraine.
Red wine appears to be somewhat more likely to trigger migraine than other sources of alcohol, especially among females.
An estimated 12% to 60% of people report that certain foods trigger migraine headaches. This frequently includes:
- chocolate
- cheese
- salami
- soy
- fermented, cured, and pickled foods, which contain large amounts of the amino acid tyramine
Some experts have reported that excessive caffeine consumption can trigger migraine. Common sources include:
Caffeine withdrawal can also trigger a headache. Limiting your intake can help reduce the risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Dehydration has been linked to the onset of headache.
In a
Too much or too little sleep is
Danish researchers found that a majority of people with migraine report that some of their attacks are linked to stress.
Other researchers have reported that 50% to 80% of people with migraine say stress triggers their migraine headaches.
Some people experience migraine in the aftermath of a stressful event, and they can also occur in anticipation of a stressful event or during times of stress.
Hormone fluctuations may play a role in headache onset and severity.
In a 2012 study of 2,600 people,
The use of oral contraceptives may make symptoms worse. Some people experienced fewer symptoms during pregnancy, while others experienced more severe symptoms.
Postmenopause may provide some limited relief from headache severity.
People with migraine frequently report that strong or unusual smells trigger their headaches.
Additionally, about half of people with migraine report an intolerance for smells during attacks. This phenomenon is known as osmophobia and is especially common among people with migraine headaches.
During migraine episodes, cigarette smoke, food odors, and scents such as perfume were found to be the most frequent offending smells.
Intense exercise may trigger migraine. In a small
Many people with exercise-induced migraine reported that their headaches begin with neck pain. More than half abandoned a favorite sport or form of exercise to avoid triggering migraine attacks.
Some people reported being able to substitute low intensity exercises for high intensity activities that might trigger an attack.
People who overuse common analgesics (pain relievers) may be more likely to progress from occasional migraine episodes to chronic migraine.
Overusing pain medication alters neurotransmitter activity and responses in the body, and medication withdrawal can lead to severe pain until the body’s neurotransmitters and pain receptors regulate.
Some people report that bright, flickering, or pulsating lights may serve as a migraine trigger. A small 2013 study found that even brief sunlight exposure may trigger migraine.
However, in a letter to the editor regarding that study, one neurologist noted that sunlight may not be a primary trigger for migraine. He stated that sunlight only triggered his own migraine episodes if he’d drunk wine the previous night.
He also mentioned that sunlight triggered migraine if he was already sleep-deprived, stressed, dehydrated, or experiencing low blood sugar due to skipping a meal. His conclusion was that bright light may be a secondary trigger.
People whose migraine attacks appear to be triggered by bright light should consider whether these other factors may also be triggers for them.
Various weather changes have been tentatively linked to the onset of migraine headaches.
In a study of Brazilian adolescents with migraine, weather patterns most likely to trigger headaches included sunny and clear, hot, cold, and changing weather.
Another small study, featuring primarily female participants in Missouri, concluded that thunderstorms with lightning were significantly linked to the onset of headaches.
Specifically, investigators concluded that lightning was the precipitating factor, although they were uncertain how lightning might trigger migraine.
If you’re one of the millions of people who deal with frequent or occasional migraine episodes, it’s important to understand your personal migraine triggers and do your best to avoid them.
It might also be helpful to talk with others about their own experiences and migraine triggers. Our free app, Bezzy Migraine, connects you with real people who experience migraine.
Ask questions, seek advice, and access expert resources on managing migraine. Download the app for iPhone or Android.