The intense pain of a migraine can put you down and out for days. If you’re experiencing recurrent migraines, the team at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine offers effective solutions to treat your pain and reduce the frequency of these painful headaches.
One of the most important strategies for preventing migraines involves identifying and understanding your triggers. In addition to any medication you take or lifestyle changes you make, you also need to be fully aware of what’s at the deep root of the throbbing, debilitating head pain.
Experience interventional pain specialist, Jose De La Torre, MD, provides some insight into some of the most common migraine triggers to help you narrow down what may be contributing to your pain.
Although a number of factors play into the development of a migraine, here are eight of the most common triggers:
If you enjoy your daily cups of coffee or feel you need to consume energy drinks just to make it through the day, you may be putting yourself at risk for a migraine. Many popular beverages contain high amounts of caffeine and if you aren’t watching what you drink, you may be putting yourself at risk for migraines, anxiety, and other issues that interfere with your health.
Take time to learn more about how caffeine affects your body. If you can’t quit cold turkey, set a goal to limit your caffeine intake over time. Instead of opting for sugary, caffeinated beverages, commit to drinking more water.
Much like caffeinated beverages trigger migraines, drinks that contain alcohol also contribute to migraines. Though any type of alcohol can trigger migraine pain, red wine is an especially common trigger.
Just like anything in life, moderation matters. It’s your choice to enjoy your favorite alcoholic drink occasionally, but overindulging not only increases your risk for migraines, it can also lead to other issues that interfere with your quality of life.
Interestingly, changing weather patterns can have an impact on your physical wellbeing. Some people experience migraines when it’s sunny and clear, while others are more susceptible to developing throbbing head pain during a thunderstorm or a lightning event.
Though you can’t change the weather, you can speak with Dr. De La Torre about preventive migraine treatments to help you stay ahead of the pain during unpredictable weather changes.
Hormones regulate many functions of your body and when there’s an imbalance, you may be at risk for a variety of health issues, including chronic migraines, depression, and anxiety.
Women especially are at risk from hormone-related migraines during their monthly period or as they transition to menopause, the time when periods stop for good. You may also be at increased risk for migraines if you use hormonal birth control.
If you suspect you have a hormone imbalance, speak with your primary care physician about your treatment options. You should also eat a healthy diet that supports your endocrine system and engage in daily exercises to boost your overall health.
You may not even realize the additives in foods are at the root cause of your migraines. If you use artificial sweeteners or eat foods that contain preservatives, you may be unintentionally triggering migraine pain.
Reduce your risk factors by incorporating more fresh, organic foods into your usual diet to avoid unnecessary preservatives. You should also familiarize yourself with common additives that can harm your health and learn how to read labels on processed foods.
If you aren’t eating the food you need to nourish your body, or are skipping meals, it can lead to recurrent migraines. Additionally, failing to drink enough water to keep your body hydrated can be complicating the matter.
Your diet is important not only for reducing the frequency of migraines, but also for ensuring your overall health. Skipping meals or eating badly can affect your blood sugar levels and put stress on the body that triggers migraines and other long-term health complications.
Even though you may go to bed each night, it doesn’t mean you’re getting the quality sleep your body needs to function. Migraines are commonly linked to poor sleep habits, sleep disorders, and may even be triggered if you sleep too much.
Make a point of setting a bedtime routine, eliminating electronics and television at least an hour before you head off to sleep. Learn relaxation techniques to help you ease into sleep and seek medical help if you suspect you have a sleep disorder.
Both physical stress and emotional stress can increase your risk for a migraine. It’s common for migraines to develop following a stressful event, adding even more stress on your physical and mental health.
It’s important that you find ways to keep your stress in check by practicing breathing techniques, getting daily exercises, and having a support system within your family and friends. Don’t hesitate to seek out professional help when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
You don’t have to live with migraine pain. Schedule a consultation with the migraine specialists at New Tampa Interventional Pain & Sports Medicine online or by phone today.
