To figure out what causes your migraines, print the list below. Then check for triggers at the first signs of a headache. Review the list every few weeks or months to see if you can spot a pattern. Chances are, the items that get the most checks are your triggers.
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Understanding Headache -- Symptoms
If you feel a dull, steady pain that feels like a band tightening around your head, you may have a tension headache.If you feel throbbing that begins on one side and causes nausea or sound/light sensitivity, you may have a migraine. Visual disturbances, such as flickering points of light, may precede a migraine headache.If you feel a severe pain around one red, watery eye, with nasal congestion on that side of your face, you may have a cluster headache.If you feel a steady pain in the area...
Read the Understanding Headache -- Symptoms article > >
After you've narrowed down what affects you, talk about the list at your next doctor's visit.
Migraine Trigger Checklist
_____ Aged cheeses
_____ Alcohol (red wine, beer, whiskey, champagne)
_____ Artificial sweeteners
_____ Caffeine (excess intake or withdrawal)
_____ Chocolate
_____ Citrus fruits
_____ Cured meats
_____ Dehydration
_____ Depression
_____ Diet (skipping meals or fasting)
_____ Dried fish
_____ Dried fruits
_____ Exercise (excessive)
_____ Eyestrain or other visual triggers
_____ Fatigue (extreme)
_____ Food additives (nitrites, nitrates, MSG)
_____ Lights (bright or flickering; sunlight, particularly glare)
_____ Lunch meats (cured with nitrites or MSG)
_____ Menstrual periods
_____ Medications
_____ Noise (excessive)
_____ Nuts
_____ Odors
_____ Onions
_____ Salty foods
_____ Sleep (too much, too little, other changes)
_____ Skipped meals
_____ Stress
_____ Television or movie viewing
_____ Weather (changing conditions)
_____ Others