What Causes Migraines

Migraine headaches are rather common and in fact, a migraine headache is a very common problem that is seen in emergency rooms and physician's offices around the world. Fundamentally speaking, a migraine is due to changes in the brain and surrounding blood vessels which are affected by migraine causes.

The most common causes of migraines are due to eating certain foods, especially chocolate, nuts, alcohol and cheese. Not eating or drinking is another of a migraine headache triggers that is rather common. Other causes of migraine headaches which are less common include birth control pills, smoking, hormonal changes, stress and certain types of weather. Sensory stimuli such as bright lights and glare from the sun are a few more migraine headache triggers some sufferers experience.

Knowing the migraine trigger is important as it can help us to avoid it or to find most appropriate migraine headache treatment. Here is the list of most common migraine headache causes:

• Food
  Many migraine headaches seem to be triggered by the consumption of certain types of food. Come common migraine cause are aged cheeses, chocolates, caffeine and MSG (monosodium glutamate - a food additive) which is a key ingredient in Chinese cuisine. Foods high in salt also can trigger a migraine as can some processed foods.


• Stress
  It is no secret that many of us lead very stressful lives. The everyday stress one experiences while on the job can cause a migraine to develop. Dealing with family members and other home situations also can increase stress levels which can set a migraine into motion. Events like weddings, divorces or moving to a new city are migraine headache triggers for many people.


• Weather
  When one thinks of migraine headache triggers, the chances are fair that weather is not the first thing that comes to mind. However, some common weather conditions can be migraine causes. Changes in the barometric pressure, high temperatures, low temperatures and high humidity can be enough to trigger migraines in some people.


• Alcohol
  Certain types of alcohol can trigger a migraine. No one really knows why alcohol is a migraine trigger for some and a source of relief for others. Usually alcohol in moderation can act as migraine headache relief. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to migraine headaches as it dehydrates human body. The most common types of alcohol that have been found to cause migraines are beer and red wine.


• Medication Over-Use
  The overuse of certain types of medications can be migraine causes. Taking too much of a painkiller or triptan drug too frequently for headaches can actually trigger new migraine attacks. Many people with persistent migraines take these medications regularly and without knowing it, are actually contributing to the development of new migraine headaches. And it is really hard to break out from this vicious circle. Migraine management as well as migraine prevention can be very helpful in this case.


• Smoking
  One of the causes of migraine headaches is the smoking of tobacco products be it cigarettes, pipe tobacco or cigars. The nicotine in the tobacco causes blood vessels in the brain to swell and press on nerves which can easily trigger a migraine. Even if you do not smoke yourself, second-hand fumes can be migraine headache triggers.


• Psychic Causes
  While not so common nowadays. According to our ancestors psychic causes can cause migraines. Voodoo or ill-wishing can trigger migraine headaches. Of course these causes do not have any scientifical or medicinal explanation and are cured by various rituals or herbs.