Migraine Causes

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Migraine Triggers

A wide range of events and conditions can alter conditions in the brain that bring on nerve excitation and trigger migraines. They include, but are not limited to:

• Emotional stress
• Intense physical exertion (exercise, lifting, and even bowel movements or sexual activity)
• Abrupt weather changes
• Bright or flickering lights
• High altitude
• Travel motion
• Lack of sleep
• Low blood sugar and fasting
• Chemicals found in certain foods. More than 100 foods may potentially trigger migraine headache. Caffeine is one such trigger. Caffeine withdrawal can also trigger migraines in people who are accustomed to caffeine. Experts recommend that patients keep a headache diary to track which foods trigger migraine.

Review Date: 10/02/2006
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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