Causes of migraines and various things that can trigger the attack

Migraines are attacks of extreme, debilitating headaches that are often preceded or accompanied by sensory and digestive disturbances. If not controlled, these attacks will continue to repeat, more frequent, even chronic. Therefore, knowing what causes migraine headaches and the triggers that cause you to recur frequently can help control this disease.

What causes migraines?

Migraine is one of the most common types of headaches. The NHS says, one in five women suffer from this disease, while the probability in men is as big as one in 15 people.

Although it is common, until now the root cause of migraine is still uncertain. Possibly, migraines are caused by neurological disorders and changes in brain activity that affect nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, changes to the brainstem and its interaction with the trigeminal nerve (the main pain pathway) may be involved in the occurrence of migraines. In addition, an imbalance of brain chemicals, including serotonin, also plays a role in controlling pain in the nervous system.

Serotonin plays many roles in the human body, and can affect blood vessels. When serotonin levels are high, blood vessels shrink (shrink), whereas when serotonin levels drop, blood vessels become enlarged (swell). This swelling then causes pain in migraine sufferers.

In addition to serotonin, the release of prostaglandin chemicals is also said to cause inflammation of blood vessels around nerve endings, causing pain in migraine sufferers. However, the exact causes of these changes in brain activity and chemicals are still unknown.

The researchers suspect, there are genetic factors that might trigger migraines. This means that migraines may be a hereditary disease or that certain genes run in the family. However, environmental and lifestyle factors are also said to play a role in causing this disease.

Various causes and triggers for your frequent migraines

The most basic cause of migraine is not known. However, there are several factors, both environmental and lifestyle, that can trigger a migraine attack to recur. If you don't avoid these factors, you will experience frequent migraine attacks in the future.

However, keep in mind, each migraine sufferer may have different trigger factors. Therefore, it is important for you to recognize what factors can trigger a recurrence of your attacks to prevent future migraines.

Here are some things that can cause you frequent migraines:

1. Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes are the most common cause of migraine headaches, both left and right, in women. This occurs when a woman enters her period due to changes in the level of the hormone estrogen. Usually this happens two days before to three days after menstruation.

Apart from menstruation, hormonal changes during pregnancy and entering menopause can also trigger migraines in women, and generally improve after menopause. Then, the use of drugs that contain hormones, such as birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, also has the potential to aggravate the headache you are experiencing.

2. Changes in extreme weather

No one knows exactly what causes a person to have migraines. However, many scientists believe that the brains of migraine sufferers tend to be more sensitive to changes in weather.

Storms, excessive heat, extremely cold temperatures, and changes in air pressure are said to cause migraine attacks in some people. The reason is, high humidity and heat can easily lead to dehydration, which is another migraine trigger.

3. Smelling a strong aroma

Sniffing a strange, strong, and pungent scent can be the cause of migraines, some people often recur. Because, these smells can activate certain nerve receptors in the nasal passages that can trigger a migraine attack or worsen those that have already started.

About half of migraine sufferers report intolerance to smells during attacks. This phenomenon is known as osmophobia and is typically seen only in migraine sufferers. Perfume, the smell of pungent foods such as durians, the smell of gasoline, and cigarette smoke are some of the most frequent sources of odors that trigger migraines.

4. Light exposure

For many migraine patients, rays or lights are the enemy. This condition is called photophobia, and is one of the criteria for diagnosing migraines.

Light sources that cause migraines can be in the form of artificial light, such as fluorescent lights, strobe lights, flashing lights, flashing lights, to natural rays of the sun and its reflections. This makes sufferers find it difficult to spend time outside or in an office environment.

5. Stress

Launching the American Migraine Foundation, stress is the biggest trigger for migraine attacks. One study found that 50-70 percent of people experience headaches more easily when they are stressed.

The reason is, when stressed, the brain releases chemicals that cause changes in bodily functions, such as muscle tension and narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, which can make migraines worse. The stress itself can come from many things, from aspects of the household, personal life, to work. Your body can also be stressed if you exercise too long or don't get enough sleep.

6. Changes in sleep habits

Adequate and quality sleep is an important thing to do to keep the body healthy. The reason is, with adequate sleep, all parts of the body, including the brain, can be renewed and repaired.

Therefore, if you sleep less, excessively, or have an irregular sleep schedule, including if you are too tired, you will be more susceptible to disease, including frequent migraine attacks. Changes in sleep habits that cause migraines are also included jet lag after traveling long distances by plane or falling asleep in the morning.

7. Dehydration

About a third of migraine sufferers report, dehydration is the cause they often experience recurrence of attacks. In fact, some of these people say that even a little dehydration can be a fast track to causing headaches.

This is indeed possible. The reason is, dehydration affects bodily functions at all levels. This condition can cause dizziness, confusion, and can even become a medical emergency. Therefore, consuming lots of water can be one way to deal with migraines in yourself.

8. Skip meals

Eating late or missed meals often causes a relative drop in blood sugar, which can be a trigger for migraines. This usually occurs in children who are still growing or who are doing vigorous exercise. However, it can also be the cause of frequent head migraines in adults.

Generally, if you skip breakfast, this can trigger a migraine in the morning before noon, while eating late at noon can trigger an attack in the afternoon. However, if you skip meals at night, this can be a cause of headaches when you wake up the next morning.

9. Use of certain drugs

Taking certain drugs can also be a factor in your frequent migraines. Therefore, if you feel a migraine attack occurs after taking certain drugs, you should immediately consult a doctor. However, in general, drugs that often trigger migraines include some sleeping pills, contraceptive pills, vasodilator drugs such as nitroglycerin, cocaine and marijuana.

In addition, excessive use of migraine headache medications can cause migraine attacks to occur more frequently. So, you should use these drugs according to the dosage and the conditions that your doctor gives you.

10. Computer or cell phone screen

Working at the computer for too long or often playing on the cellphone (handphone /HP) can be the cause of frequent migraines in you. This is allegedly due to exposure to light or flickering lights from cellphone and computer screens. Wrong posture while working at a computer or using a cellphone can also be the cause.

List of foods and drinks that can cause or trigger migraines

Not only skipping meals, eating certain foods can also trigger migraines. Therefore, if you suspect that you have a migraine attack after eating certain foods, you should avoid consuming these foods. Here are some common foods that can cause migraines:

1. Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol is a drink that is often reported to be the main trigger for migraine attacks. Certain types of alcohol, including red wine (wine) contains certain compounds that can directly affect blood vessels and trigger the release of migraine-causing chemicals.

2. Caffeinated drinks

Consuming caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, or soda, in excess can cause migraines in some people. However, some other people actually find that stopping caffeine consumption suddenly can also be a trigger factor. Therefore, if you frequently consume caffeine, you should stop consuming this drink gradually.

3. Foods containing MSG

Packaged foods that have a savory taste generally contain MSG (monosodium glutamate). Some people report that MSG is a frequent cause of migraines. The American Migraine Foundation notes as many as 10-15% of people experience migraine headaches after eating foods containing MSG.

4. Artificial sweetened foods and drinks

In several studies it has been found that some people experience an increase in migraine frequency after consuming large amounts of foods containing artificial sweeteners, namely aspartame. However, other migraine sufferers do not experience this. The effect of these artificial sweeteners may differ between individuals.

5. Chocolate

Chocolate can be a food that causes migraines, especially for sensitive people. According to the American Migraine Foundation, chocolate is the second most common migraine trigger after alcohol, at 22 percent. The content of phenylethylamine and caffeine in chocolate can be the reason why chocolate triggers migraines.

6. Cheese

Cheese is a food that contains tyramine and can trigger migraines, especially for those who are sensitive to tyramine. Tiramine is an amino acid that can trigger changes in blood vessels typical of migraine sufferers. Apart from cheese, tyramine is also found in other foods, such as yogurt, nuts, bananas, citrus fruits (oranges), pickles, cured meats, and smoked fish.

7. Processed meat

Sausage and ham are examples of processed meats that can cause migraines. The content of nitrates and nitrites as preservatives in processed meat can widen blood vessels, which can trigger migraines in some people. So, maybe not everyone will experience migraines after eating processed meat.

In addition to the list above, other foods are also said to be triggers for migraines in some people, such as foods or drinks that smell strong or stinging, fatty foods, and cold foods and drinks.

But keep in mind, the triggers for each migraine sufferer can be different. To identify and prevent migraine attacks, you can make a note or written list of trigger factors, including symptoms, duration, time they occur, what you are doing, and environmental conditions during the attack.

Factors that can increase your risk of developing a migraine

Migraines can happen to anyone, anytime. However, there are certain conditions or factors that can increase a person's risk of developing migraines. Having these risk factors does not mean you will definitely suffer from migraines. Conversely, even those who do not have risk factors will not be free from this disease. The following are the risk factors:

1. Family history

As previously mentioned, the researchers suspect that genetic factors may be related to the causes of migraines in a person. The American Migraine Foundation says that if one of your parents has a history of migraines, you have a 50 percent chance of having the condition. However, if both of your parents have a history of this disease, your chances can increase by up to 75 percent.

2. Age

Migraine is a disease that can happen to anyone, including children. However, this disease more often starts in adolescents or young adults, then peaks around the age of 30. However, gradually, the disease begins to improve and attacks rarely occur in the years after.

3. Gender

Migraine is a disease that is more common in women. In fact, women are said to be three times more likely to experience migraine headaches than men. Migraine in women is generally associated with changes in the hormone estrogen that they experience during menstruation, entering menopause, and during pregnancy.

4. Certain medical conditions

Having certain medical conditions is also said to increase a person's risk of experiencing migraines. Several medical conditions are often associated, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, sleep disorders, and epilepsy.

Not only that, indigestion is also said to be closely related to the possibility of migraines in a person. In a study mentioned, people who often experience disorders of the digestive system are at higher risk of experiencing migraines than those who do not. This condition leads to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Celiac disease (intolerance to gluten).

In addition, children with certain syndromes and experience symptoms of vomiting, dizziness, and abdominal pain can also develop migraines at a later date. This condition is known as childhood periodic syndrome (childhood periodic syndromes).