The Truth About Migraines & Their Triggers
So you all know by now that I am a chronic migraine sufferer and I have to tell you they are chronic but there are ways to reduce them. How? By identifying triggers and then avoiding them if you can. It has taken many diaries and ‘Trial and error’ experiments to be able to identify my migraine triggers but it has made life easier and prevention is better than cure as they say.
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I have several migraines a week, some last as little as 10 minutes whilst others can last days, over the years I have learned what works, what doesn’t, what is manageable and what is worth the migraine (lol I’m just being honest). If you are a migraine sufferer and you have not used a migraine diary yet, do so. It was/is extremely productive.
It would be too simple for there to be just one kind of migraine, wouldn’t it?
No, that’d be too easy and maybe even manageable.
So, just to annoy us there are several types of migraines and their severity, effects and duration vary.
Types of Migraines
As I mentioned there are several types of migraines and their severity, effects and duration vary. Here is a list of some of the migraines that I experience but you may also be familiar with.
Migraine With Aura is a type of migraine where you have a warning sign that the migraine attack is going to happen. This warning is usually seen as an aura or glow.
Migraine Without Aura is the most common type of migraine.
Chronic Migraine is when the migraine becomes debilitating and disabling condition.
Menstrual Migraine this type of migraine is linked to Menstruation, Ovulation and Pregnancy.
Medication Overuse Headache* is a headache that comes from frequent use of taking painkillers and migraine tablets.
*I am not a medical expert nor do I have any training but from experience I will say be aware of Medication Overuse Headache, it can put you on a vicious cycle.
Migraine Triggers
Unfortunately there are many triggers of migraines, so many that they’ve been categorised as Emotional, Physical, Environmental, Medication and Dietary Triggers.
Here is a shortlist of some of those annoying migraine triggers:
Emotional Triggers
Emotions such as stress, anxiety, tension, shock, depression or even excitement.
This is such a funny one because I used to watch football all the time however since my migraines have become so chronic I can’t watch a full game because I get so excited and anxious. I’ve given myself some of the worst migraines I have ever had watching football. Now I watch the closer to the end and I mute the television. It helps.
Physical Triggers
There are a physical triggers such as tiredness, shift-work, poor quality of sleep, travel sickness, period pain, ovulating pain, strenuous exercise, hay fever and of course colds and flu. All of these trigger migraines for me (well apart from strenuous exercise lol) , what about you?
Environmental Triggers
Then comes the environmental triggers this can be bright lights, flickering screen, smoky room, loud noises, hot and cold weather, strong smells and even stuffy rooms. For me personally the smell of coffee, bleach and road works are the worst. Humid weather is also another one where I’m almost guaranteed to have a terrible migraine.
Medication Triggers
Then we have medication triggers which is slightly annoying sleeping tablets, contraceptive medication, HRT and even using An asthma inhaler have all been linked to migraines. For me personally I’ve tried several methods of contraception and they have all resulted in severe migraines so I know personally I have to stay away from those. Using my asthma inhaler also causes me migraines to be honest.
Dietary Triggers
Now let’s move onto the dietary triggers, so we all know missing meals or eating late can cause migraines along with dehydration, alcohol and caffeine but keep a look out for my next Migraine blog post it is all about migraines and foods. Coming Soon.
Useful Links & Numbers.
13 Comments
Basic with Life
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog post, fingers-crossed that you don’t have to refer back to it. lol
Basic with Life
Glad you found it helpful. Thank you
Basic with Life
So glad you found this post useful, I really appreciate your comment.
Basic with Life
Thank you so much for your comment, from one migraine sufferer to another – “I am dreading the Winter.”
Basic with Life
Thank you for taking the time to read it.
Basic with Life
Sorry to hear about your recent migraines, they can be truly awful. Hopefully, it will not take too much longer for you to work out your triggers. Good Luck 🙂
Alicia Thompson
Hello! This is such a helpful post and will really help some people. I haven’t personally had this problem in my life but will refer back to this post if I ever do. Thanks for sharing! Alicia
Kelly Diane
This is a very helpful and informative post. I feel very lucky to not have suffered from many migraines.
Jodie | That Happy Reader
Thanks for all this very helpful information. I can imagine how chronic migraines would impact your day to day life and it’s so useful to have information about triggers and how to manage the pain. Thanks for sharing.
Molly @ Transatlantic Notes
I have terrible migraines which are the result of an underlying condition so I’m not always able to determine a trigger, but their are very odd occasions when it is started by something (most recently, it’s stress). I’ve had them now for 20 years but it’s still something I’m getting used to. This was super informative, thank you for sharing this!
Fransic verso
Very informative, it’s not good when it last days. I don’t have it but I can imagine the pain of it.
Pastor Natalie
Migraines can definitely be debilitating sadly. Recently I’ve endured some very painful ones. It’s important to know the causes and how to deal with them. I’m still work on it. Thank you for sharing this post.
Pastor Natalie
Letstakeamoment.com
jamieadstories
This is very factual. I can imagine the discomfort.