A migraine is a severe pulsating or throbbing pain, usually on one side of your head. It is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds. Migraine can last for about some hours to days. However, it may become so painful at times that it hinders your day to day activities. If you suffer from migraine, visit a top internal medicine specialist in Rawalpindi.
What is an Aura?
Aura can occur with or before a migraine attack. It can include visual disturbances like flashing lights, blind spots or tingling sensations on one side of the face, difficulty in speaking or tingling in one leg.
What Are The Triggers of Migraine?
Migraine triggers can be different for everyone. However, genetics and environmental triggers may also play a role in causing migraine. Some of the migraine triggers include;
Hormonal Change In Women
Woman go through disturbance in hormonal levels before or after periods, pregnancy, at the time of premenopause and menopause. Their estrogen levels fluctuate, that can trigger a migraine attack. Therefore, during these times, women may complain about it.
Contraceptives
Contraceptives are pills that are used to prevent childbirth. They act by altering the hormones in the woman’s body. Therefore, they may also trigger a migraine. If you are taking a contraceptive that causes you a migraine, consult with a healthcare provider to change it.
Excessive Caffeine Intake
At times, caffeine helps with migraine. But, excessive caffeine intake in the form of coffee, tea and carbonated drinks may cause a rebound migraine attack. Therefore, limit your caffeine intake during a migraine attack. Consume it in moderation.
Stress
Anything that bothers you can trigger a migraine attack. Let it be workload, studies, relationship, losing a loved one or losing a job. Try to practice relaxing techniques like yoga or meditation to get rid of stress, hence migraine.
Sensory Stimuli
Anything that gives you a sensory stimulus may trigger a migraine attack. It may include any of the following triggers;
A strong scent/perfume
Cigarette smoke
Burning smell
The odour of polish or paint
Loud sounds
The smell of paint thinner
Change in Sleep Pattern
A change in sleeping pattern, either excessive sleep, loss of sleep or jet lag can trigger a migraine. If it happens to you, sleep well in the night. Do not alter your sleep patterns. Do not spend time on mobile phones or watching TV before sleeping.
Physical Factors
Physical factors like sexual exertion, excessive exercise or walking can trigger a migraine attack.
Weather Changes
A change in weather or barometric pressure can trigger a migraine headache. Exposure to extreme climates like a hot and humid day or extreme cold may trigger a migraine.
Medications
Some medications like captopril, nitroglycerin, proton pump inhibitors may induce a migraine. Always consult your healthcare provider before stopping or starting a medication.
Foods and Skipping a Meal
Eating foods like aged cheese, pickles, salty and processed foods may aggravate migraine. Moreover, skipping a meal, extreme dieting, and missing carbohydrates may also trigger a migraine attack.
Food Additives
Certain food additives like aspartame, monosodium glutamate may also trigger a migraine.
Conclusion
Migraine can be bothering at times. It may interfere with your day to day activities. You can make a dairy to know about triggers that cause a migraine attack. In it, keep a record of all the activities you do, what you eat, where you go, environment, and how are you feeling? This technique will help you out in knowing migraine triggers. Since migraine triggers may vary from person to person. If you have a complaint of migraine, visit a top internal specialist in Lahore.
About the Author
