Migraine Causes and Triggers

  • Migraine
    Migraine is a chronic type of headache that occurs in episodes and affects the day to day activities of an individual. It usually affects one side of the head. Between migraine episodes, the patient is absolutely free of pain. Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world. 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 28 September 2015

Causes of Migraine

Causes are multifactoral with various genetic and environmental factors playing important roles. The patient may have a history of migraine in the family. Mutations of the gene in chromosome 1 and 19 are responsible for positive family history.

Disturbances in the release of certain brain chemicals called serotonin and dopamine may also cause migraine.

Migraine has two parts: 1) the aura and 2) the headache. (Symptoms of aura are mentioned below.) Cerebral blood vessels initially contract (causing decreased blood flow) and then dilate, starting in the occipital lobe region at the back of brain. The visual cortex at the occipital region is affected and is responsible for visual changes called aura, followed by headache. 

What triggers a migraine: 

  • Dietary factors like Monosodium glutamate, red wine, chocolate
  • Lifestyle factors, like alcohol
  • Psychological factors, like stress, anxiety, depression
  • Tiredness
  • Jet lag
  • Bright flashing light
  • Abnormal sleep pattern
  • Pungent odour
  • Hormonal changes - 1st trimester of pregnancy, menstruation
  • Weather change
  • High altitude
Community
Neurological Conditions
Condition
Migraine
Changed
Fri, 09/01/2017 - 14:25

Stories

  • 6 मुख्य माइग्रेन ट्रिगर्स और माइग्रेन का सक्रीय रूप से प्रबंधन
    पोरसेल्वी ए.पी. एक संज्ञानात्मक और मनोसामाजिक हस्तक्षेप विशेषज्ञा हैं और इस लेख में पुरुषों और महिलाओं के लिए छह आम माइग्रेन ट्रिगर्स साझा करती हैं। वे यह भी बताती हैं कि आपको अपने माइग्रेन का सक्रिय रूप से प्रबंधित करने के लिए क्या करना चाहिए। माइग्रेन एक ऐसा दर्द है जो तीव्र/ गंभीर होता है, बार-बार होता है, और इसमें थ्रोबिंग महसूस होती है और यह आमतौर पर सिर के एक ही तरफ होता है । यह एक क्रोनिक न्यूरोलॉजिकल डिसऑर्डर है। थ्रोबिंग, पल्सेटिंग प्रकार का सिरदर्द (दर्द धक-धक् सा धड़क कर होता है) इसका…
  • a man holding his head due to throbbing migraine headache
    क्या बाल धोने से माइग्रेन हो सकता है? क्या बच्चों को माइग्रेन हो सकता है? ऐसे कई प्रश्नों के जवाब।
    कोलकाता के मेडिका सुपरस्पेशलिटी अस्पताल में न्यूरोलॉजी के प्रमुख डॉ। अमित हलदर इस लेख में माइग्रेन पर अनेक अकसर पूछे जाने वाले सवालों के जवाब देते हैं। डॉ। हलधर हमें माइग्रेन में ट्रिगर्स की भूमिका और माइग्रेन से बचने के सर्वोत्तम तरीके के बारे में भी बताते हैं। क्या माइग्रेन और सामान्य सिरदर्द एक ही तकलीफ के दो नाम हैं? यदि नहीं, तो माइग्रेन और साधारण सिरदर्द कैसे भिन्न हैं? माइग्रेन एक एपिसोडिक हेमिक्रानियल (एक तरफा) थ्रोबिंग सिरदर्द है। इस के निदान के लिए निश्चित मानदंड उपलब्ध हैं जिसमें…
  • Profile Pic of a woman in a red shirt
    Keeping Guilt and Shame At Bay
    Aishwarya M is a migraineur-teacher who teaches reading and writing to middle school students in Pune, India. She writes about her experience with chronic pain and talks about avoiding prolongation of a chronic pain episode while keeping guilt and shame at bay It doesn’t take a genius to realize that chanting, “Don’t come, just don’t come,” in your head is not an effective preventative measure for migraine. Yet, that’s what I do – sometimes all day long. And yes, it does come back. More often…
  • Managing Migraines Is About The Effort You Put In Every Day
    Rachna*, 39 from Mumbai shares her journey with migraine and how the fear of managing migraine attacks with a small new born baby led to post partum depression and her attempts to find solutions that work.  Symtoms and Diagnosis: I was diagnosed with Migraine 10 years ago, soon after my wedding. The first time, I remember being at home; it was mid morning. There was sudden onset of acidity and aching in my head. A few hours later, I was vomiting. I called my husband and that evening after…
  • Diet Changes That Helped Them Manage Chronic Conditions
    Diet changes are an integral part of management of many chronic conditions. Here are real life experiences of eight women who incorporated diet and nutrition changes in their disease management regimen.  Celiac Disease When Jeeva Anna George was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an uncommon digestive disorder causing inflammation of the small intestine, her whole life began revolving around food. Here she talks at length about her personal journey and how she learnt the hard way to control…
  • A stock pic of a woman with long hair holding her throbbing temples signifying migraine pain
    How To Be Prepared for Chronic Migraine
    Aishwarya M,  a migraineur-teacher who teaches reading and writing to middle school girls at Pune, India shares her experience of being prepared for the uncertainty of chronic migraine.  Is it possible to have a debilitating disability such as chronic migraine and still be a together teacher? Short answer: Yes The long answer follows. In 2014, Maia Heyck-Merlin’s The Together Teacher: Plan Ahead, Get Organized, and Save Time! not only saved my time, it saved my life. I slowly stopped…
  • 5 New Year’s Resolutions to Bulldoze your Illness
    Thirty five year old Deepthi Sudhir Nair, a person with Myasthenia Gravis, rings in 2017 with five heartfelt pointers that can help transform lives and bring in greater happiness, positivity and self-respect in the New Year. Before I bury my reminiscences of 2016, I want to thank it for making me a chronically ill patient (through myasthenia gravis, urticaria, bronchial asthma, migraines and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures) and taking away my freedom. At the same time, teaching me what life…
  • A young lady with dark hair in a white full sleeved dress in a green surrounding with trees in the background
    Migraines Are Not Just Headaches!
    Sonika Aggarwal,39 has been battling migraine and sinusitis for over a decade. Even a surgery did not help matters much. She shares how she finally found some relief when she changed her diet and lifestyle. Read on. Please tell us a bit about your condition I have had chronic migraines and sinus infections over the past 10 years. When were you diagnosed? There is no clear line on how one is diganosed with migraine. It can start off with say 4 migraines a month in the initial years which can go…
  • "People Said My Behaviour Was Manipulative"
    When R had suicidal thoughts and a feeling of hopelessness, she finally sought help and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety disorder. Read on to find out how she coped with her illness and how it relates to chronic pain due to migraines and sinus. I am 39 years old and academically trained as an engineer. I lost my mom at a very young age. My childhood consists of first few years in USA and then later on in India.  I was diagnosed with severe depression along with anxiety…
  • Image: Stock pic of woman with brunette hair holding her head during a migraine attack
    How To Treat Migraine Induced Nausea
    Nausea and vomiting during a migraine attack can be extremely distressing. Dr. Shital Raval suggests several safe and effective options that can provide much needed relief from both migraine and nausea When muscles in your scalp, neck, and face tighten and contract, it causes spasms and pain called Headache. Besides physical strain, headaches can be triggered by lack of sleep, dehydration, sinus congestion, vision problems, stress, anxiety and fatigue. What is Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS)…