Unlike a regular headache, a migraine tends to be more intense, throbbing, usually on just one side of the head, and can come with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Identifying your personal triggers is one of the most effective ways to reduce how often attacks happen.
Most Common Triggers
- Poor or irregular sleep
- Prolonged fasting or skipping meals
- Stress and emotional tension
- Specific foods, such as chocolate, aged cheeses, cured meats, and alcoholic beverages (especially red wine)
- Sudden weather or barometric pressure changes
- Very bright or flickering lights
- Hormonal changes, common in women during the menstrual cycle
- Strong smells, such as perfumes and cleaning products
How to Identify Your Own Triggers
Keeping a simple journal — noting what you ate, how you slept, and what you were doing before each attack — helps identify personal patterns, since triggers vary quite a bit from person to person.
Habits That Help Reduce Attacks
- Keeping regular sleep and meal times
- Staying well hydrated throughout the day
- Practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation
- Avoiding foods identified as personal triggers
- Reducing screen exposure for very long stretches
If attacks are frequent (more than 4 per month) or very disabling, it’s worth seeing a neurologist, who can recommend specific preventive treatments.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace a medical evaluation.