What Happens in the Body During a Migraine Attack

Migraine triggers range from environmental to hormonal to behavioral. Here are some common culprits and ways to avoid them.

Alcohol

Red wine is a well-known migraine trigger, but other alcoholic drinks can also cause a migraine attack.

Weather Changes

Even small decreases in barometric pressure can cause a migraine attack, according to research.

If weather is a trigger for you, ask your doctor if you should take medication at the first sign of change in the atmosphere.

Bright Light

It’s believed that light “turns on” certain cells that can trigger pain. Wearing sunglasses indoors can increase your eyes’ sensitivity to light, so save your specs for outside. You can also try wearing FL-41 boysenberry-tinted lenses, which have been shown to minimize light’s triggering effect.

Caffeine

Both caffeine itself and caffeine withdrawal can trigger a migraine attack. Try not to vary your regular coffee routine, even on weekends.

Cheese and Processed Meats

Some people are sensitive to tyramine, a product of broken-down proteins in aged foods. You may want to limit your intake of these and other foods that are high in tyramine, including soy sauce, red wine, kimchi, smoked fish, caviar, and beer.

Computers

Poor ergonomics and the screen’s bright light can combine to trigger a migraine attack. Practice good posture and take frequent stretch breaks.

Dehydration

Not consuming enough liquids causes blood volume to drop, decreasing blood flow to the brain; the loss of electrolytes might also be a culprit. Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce (oz) glasses of water a day.

Hormonal Changes

Migraines disproportionately affect women, which could be partly due to fluctuations in estrogen levels. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take NSAIDs a few days before menstruation.

Temperature Changes

The risk of migraine jumps almost 8 percent for every 9-degree rise in temperature, according to one study.

In hot weather, stay hydrated and consider avoiding outdoor activities during sudden temperature increases. Lower temperatures have also been found to trigger migraine attacks in certain people. Another study found that colder temperatures brought on headaches in temperature-sensitive migraine patients.

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