A migraine is a disorder characterized by recurrent headaches that can be severe, throbbing, and debilitating. Notably, not everyone experiences the same amount of pain. Some people may only suffer mild to moderate symptoms, while others experience debilitating migraines that often require immediate medical attention or treatment.
Although the actual cause of migraines is unknown, many triggers can potentially bring them on. Understanding these triggers will help you know what sets off your migraine episodes so you can better prevent them from happening again by finding the most appropriate source of migraine relief in Williamsville.
Now that you have some idea of migraine as a condition is, let's delve into some of the most common triggers it has and figure out which ones are yours.
Caffeine withdrawal is a headache trigger that can make those suffering from migraines experience it even worse. The symptoms of caffeine withdrawal include headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. If you have a migraine disorder and consume more than 400 mg of caffeine daily (approximately the amount in 4 cups of brewed coffee). We also suggest gradually reducing your caffeine intake over several weeks before giving up the substance altogether.
Stress is one of the most subtle and common migraine triggers. It could be due to a lot of things, including work deadlines and family responsibilities. When you're stressed out, your body releases hormones that trigger headaches, nausea, and vomiting — symptoms that can lead to migraines.
Another significant factor is sleep deprivation. While it's normal for adults to feel tired after a long day at work, having trouble sleeping because of stress is a solid sign that you're more likely to get regular headaches due to a lack of restful sleep.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines and other headaches, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Because food allergies are also linked with migraines, it's important to consider how your diet influences your episodes. If you think certain foods could trigger migraines in you or someone else in your household, speak with a doctor or nutritionist about possible dietary changes that could help alleviate these symptoms.
If you're sensitive to noise and suffer from migraines, finding a quiet place to escape can be difficult. Loud environments can trigger headaches, so try your best to avoid them whenever possible. If you must stay in a loud place, wear earplugs or noise-canceling headphones when possible.
You might also consider investing in some white noise machines for home use—or using an app on your phone that plays static sounds at low volume. These apps are especially useful if you have kids who share a room with you and don't want them waking up whenever one of their toys makes noise!
You may want to avoid fluorescent lighting if you're prone to migraines. The theory is that the flickering caused by fluorescent lights can trigger a headache by activating the trigeminal nerve, which runs throughout your head and face and is known for sending pain signals when it's irritated.
As you probably know, migraines are more common in women than in men. That's partly because hormones can trigger migraines in both men and women, but they can affect your brain chemistry and cause more severe pain when you're more prone to changes in them. For example:
Menstruation
Migraines may occur at the start or end of your period when estrogen levels drop, and progesterone rises—potentially increasing the chance of getting a migraine attack. In fact, half of all menstruating women experience premenstrual headaches that last from two days to two weeks before their period begins; these are called "premenstrual syndromes" (PMS).
Pregnancy and birth control pills (BCPs)
If you're pregnant or using BCPs during your reproductive years—which is between ages 11 and 55 for most people—you might notice an increase in the frequency of your headaches. The intensity of the symptoms might also increase considerably because there are more estrogen fluctuations taking place than usual due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or BCP use.
Some people are more sensitive to strong odors and scents. If you're one of them, you'll want to avoid these common migraine triggers at all costs:
If your migraines start with the smell of perfume or cologne, it could be that you're more sensitive than average. But this doesn't mean that everyone will have this experience—the majority of people won't have problems with perfume or strong scents.
So if you're concerned about your reaction to odors, talk with a doctor about how best to manage it in your daily life. Or better, ask what migraine relief in Williamsville form would be most applicable for you considering this trigger.
Although there is no cure for migraines, you can potentially lessen the pain with the help of the most preferred migraine relief in Williamsville form, known as upper cervical chiropractic care!
It's a specially designed chiropractic technique proven to help with migraine headaches. So, if you're tired of your migraine headaches, perhaps it's time to consider seeing a chiropractor for upper cervical care. Chiropractors have helped patients reduce their sensitivity to specific triggers like bright lights, loud noises, and even certain foods that cause headaches or other types of pain.
If you suffer from chronic headaches like migraines, book an appointment with a credible chiropractor as soon as possible! But if you don't know where to go, check out Chiropractic Lifestyle Family Practice P.C.
Dr. Pokorski and the rest of our team are here to help you identify what triggers your migraines and build a custom care plan to manage and reduce your attacks! You can book your appointment with him by calling (716) 635-9742 or filling out this online consultation form.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Pokorski, call our Snyder office at 716-333-8884. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.