Dr. E. A. MacGregor discusses management of migraines. (The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health; http://rsh.sagepub.com; February, 1992).
There are different activities and foods that could bring on a migraine. Together, these are known as “triggers.”
Dr. MacGregor identifies the most common triggers:
- hunger
- cheese, chocolate, alcohol, coffee, citrus fruits
- disruption of sleep
- women experiencing hormonal changes
- head and neck pain
- changes in environment – bright lights, loud noises, powerful odors
- too much exercise (if a person is not used to it)
- travel
- stress
Dr. E. A. MacGregor points out that patients have stated that sometimes certain triggers cause a migraine to occur, and sometimes they don’t. More often than not, a combination of triggers will bring on a migraine in one person, but a single trigger will not. The point at which a combination of triggers will bring on a migraine is called the “attack threshold.” This attack threshold is different for everybody.
The advice, therefore, is to keep a daily diary. By paying close attention to possible triggers (or combinations of them), the times of the day and the severity of the migraine, a person might be able to help control their migraines without assistance.
Obviously, not all triggers can be prevented or anticipated. We are the manufacturers of Migravent, a dietary supplement that benefits people with migraines.
