MIGRAINE TRIGGERS

Here comes the pain again - that familiar throbbing in your temple, or at the base f your skull. Quickly, you pop a couple of over-the-counter pain pills, hope for the best and go about your day. After all, it’s just a headache, right? Not necessarily. It could be a migraine, a potentially serious condition that affects well over 100 million people worldwide. But I don’t get migraines, you think. Don’t be sure : Nore than half of all migraine sufferers have never been diagnosed by a doctor or were diagnosed incorrectly. Almost everyone gets headaches, and they can start young. In fact, one study found that among people 12 to 29 years old, 91% of men and 98% of women had experienced one or more headaches. The pain drives 50 million people to doctors each year and is one of the top 10 reasons men and women seek medical care. Anything from the foods you eat to simple change in your routine can set off an attack.

Experts have identified many triggers that may activate attacks. Tracking your migraines in writing is essential, so that you can predict and even prevent attacks. Whenever one strikes, note the date, time it starts and ends, intensity, symptoms, plus foods you’ve eaten and anything else you suspect may have triggered it. Women should also note where they are in their monthly cycles. List any medications you take or other strategies you try, and the results. A detailed diary will help your doctor decide if you’re a good candidate for preventive therapies. Here are some of the migraine triggers identified by the experts :

Hormones :
For many women, falling oestrogen levels play the biggest role, so a migraine is more likely to strike around the start of a period. Interestingly, migraines often disappear during pregnancy, and reduce in frequency after menopause.

Food :
Chocolate and aged cheeses such as cheddar, brie and camembert are among the best-known dietary triggers, but some people find a variety of other foods, including processed meats, seeds and foods with MSG can cause problems.

Alcohol :
Alcohol dilates blood vessels, and may contribute to migraine on that basis. The culprit could also be the congeners (impurities from fermentation) found in red wine and bourbon, long known to cause headaches.

Caffeine :
Caffeine is both a treatment and a trigger. Many migraine treatments, such as Excedrin, contain caffeine, which constricts painful blood vessels. But caffeine withdrawal and overuse can also cause pain.

Environment :
Humidity, extreme heat or cold, and changes in weather, temperature or barometric pressure can all be triggers, along with bright or flashing lights, perfumes or chemical odours, pollution and changes in altitude.

Tension :
You may have an episode during or after a stressful situation. Stress=reducing techniques, such as biofeedback or relaxation therapy, are very useful for prevention. A late night or any change in your sleep patterns also could provoke an attack, as can skipping meals or fasting.

Extract Article (Abridge) : of the same title by Sharlene K Johnson, Reader’s Digest January 2006.