Trigger Factors of Migraine Attacks


According to the American college of physicians (ACP) (2000), Constantine & Scott (1994) & South, (1994), migraine is a physical illness that begins with a physical predisposition. About 60-80% of people with migraine headaches have a family history of migraines which suggests that migraines may have a genetic basis (Constantine & Scott, 1994; & webmd (1996-2002). Headache proneness can be reduced to a certain extent, but the key to reducing the number of attacks lies in the identification and elimination of migraine triggers (ACP, 2002; American Family Physician, 1997; Constantine & Scott, 1994 & South, 1994). Although doctors do not know exactly why people get migraine headaches, it is known that migraine triggers differ from person to person and that certain factors are involved in triggering an attack. Some of the most commonly reported migraine triggers identified in the literature include but are not limited to: Dietary, environmental, lifestyle, physical, and hormonal factors, as well as, various medications (ACP, 2000; Constantine & Scott, 1994; Germaine, 1999; South, 1994; & webmd (1996-2002).



SPECIFIC FOODS Cheese, chocolate, citrus friuts,alcohol,sweet snacks
INSUFFICIENT FOOD Delayed or missed meals and/or inadequate quantity
CHANGES IN SLEEPING
PATTERNS		 Sleeping late and/or lack of sleep
HORMONAL CHANGES IN
WOMEN		 Pregnancy, oral contraception, hormone replacement therapy, and menstration
MEDICATIONS Vasodilators (such as nitrates), niacin, and theophylline
EMOTIONAL TRIGGERS Stress, anxiety
ENVIRONMENTAL
TRIGGERS		 Bright or flickering lights, travel and weather changes, strong smells, loud noises, and changes in altitude

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American College of Physicians. (2000). Migraine and other headaches .NewYork: New York. Dorling Kinderslay Publishing.
Constantine, L. M., & Scott, S. (1994). Migraine: the complete guide. The American Council for Headache Education. New York: Dell Publishing
South, V. (1994). Migraine. Tornonto, Ontario: Key Porter Books Ltd.
Webmd (1996-2002). http://my.webmd.com/encyclopedia/article/1826.51315
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