Identifying And Avoiding Migraine Triggers: What Are Common Migraine Triggers

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What are common migraine triggers?

Migraines may be triggered by food, stress, and changes in your daily routine or environment.

The most common migraine triggers are:

• Stress (either during a stressful time or right after stress subsides).
• Menstrual cycle in women.
• Too much or too little sleep.
• Fasting or skipping meals.
• Changes in barometric pressure and weather.
• Bright light or reflected sunlight.
• Foods such as chocolate.
• Excessive caffeine or caffeine withdrawal.
• Smoking or being around someone who smokes.

Other migraine triggers include:

• Strong emotions, such as depression or anxiety.
• Physical exercise.
• Alcohol, such as red wine and port.
• Aspartame, an artificial sweetener that is found in diet sodas, light yogurts, and other sugar-free foods.
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a seasoning that is often found in Chinese food, meats, and other foods.
• Nitrates, which are found in cured meats such as hot dogs, bacon, and cold cuts.
• Tyramines, which are found in pickled or marinated foods, aged cheeses, and yeast.
• Birth control pills and hormone therapy.
• Certain medications, especially those that dilate blood vessels.
• Overuse of headache pain medications, leading to rebound headaches.
• Bright lights, glare, reflected sunlight, or other intense visual stimuli.
• Odors such as perfume, paint, dust, and certain flowers.

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Last updated:	July 03, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman