Migraine Headache Triggers "Ouch"

In case you don't read any more than this, start with eliminating the quick fixes to end the migraines. That is migraine pain medicine to get you through the day.

If you're taking to much pain medicine, than your headache will not get better, and you won't find migraine relief because of a rebound headache everyday.

This sounds mean, but you, as a migraine sufferer, can't take to much pain medicine, (we will list some below that are acceptable) so if you don't, good, if you do, quit.

Let's start by saying that quite a few foods, and some beverages could very well be the cause of your migraines.

Some additives, and just some foods in general are to be eliminated to find out if this is giving you a headache.

When you experience headaches, or other symptoms of migraine, it can be that your trigger level has gotten above your threshold.

The more fully activated the mechanism, the more severe your symptoms are. To control this, you just have to keep your migraine headache triggers below your threshold.

If you're wondering what I'm talking about, (threshold) imagine a line around your head, say three inches from the top.

That line is your threshold.

Now if you have several "things" that are triggering your migraine, food or beverages, and the pain level is sneaking up to the line, your trigger load is increasing.

Than all of a sudden, something could upset you, and you've went pass the line.

What's going to happen?

You guessed it, "MIGRAINE". One trigger in itself may not be enough to set it off, but several can. And remember that something you ate a day or so ago, can trigger your migraine for today.

Reducing your trigger load is accomplished mostly by avoiding certain dietary items, and medications that are a no no.

Migraine headache triggers to be eliminated

Find out the foods you can eat,that don't produce a migraine. You may not have any, than again you might. Migraine headache triggers

#(1)Caffeine, as in coffee, tea, even iced tea, and that old favorite, (mine) Dr Pepper. Pay attention to the decaf in coffee and tea, just in case there's some caffeine left in it...

#(2)No Chocolate, just white chocolate...

#(3)Monosodium Glutamate MSG. Restaurant food has this in it, also ready to eat meals, gravies, veggie burgers...

Watch out for hidden MSG in foods when you go to the store. Also there're more foods that contain this. It gives the flavor to many foods that have been processed.

#(4)Also processed meats, and fish. You're probably wondering by now, what am I going to eat...

We're not done yet. Hot dogs, bacon, bologna, and also wild game, pay attention to...(Contains Tyramine)

#(5)Cheese, and other dairy products. The more aged, the worst, pizza, yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk are to be looked at...

#(6)All kinds of nuts are to be avoided (especially the ones we meet every day, just joking)...

#(7)Alcohol is to be avoided, especially red wine, champagne, and dark or heavy drinks...

Don't overdo it on ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise...

#(8)Certain vegetables, especially onions, sauerkraut, pea pods, and certain beans...

#(9)Some juices, and certain fruits like bananas, oranges, raisins, and other dried fruits if preserved with sulfates...

There was a few more in each class but this gives you a general ideal of the foods to avoid.

How many of us consume these foods every day?

There're quite a few migraine headache triggers to avoid. These are the ones you can do something about, but you can't change some, such as the weather.

Do you see now how you could easy go past your threshold of everyday stress, and several other triggers, and go in to a full blown migraine?

The foods and liquids above, go to the blood vessels in your head, and makes them swell.

We have talked about the foods that can trigger a migraine. Below is a site that can tell you about all of the healthy foods to eat. {This is our food triggers page}

Certain drugs act on blood vessels by constricting them, and temporarily taking away the painful swelling.

Then the drug wears off, and the blood vessels swell even more.

Here is a quick rundown of the ones that could be giving you a rebound, and if that's your problem, you'll have to correct this before going to the migraine headache triggers in food.

#(1)They are triptans, such as imitrex, zomig, axert, and others in this class...

These are the best when it comes to taking away your migraines, but a few times a month is all you are suppose to take them

#(2)Ergotamines, such as ergomar, migraine, and migranal. Opioids, and related drugs, tylenol with codeine, percocet, darvocet oxyContin, ultram (DRS love to give out these)...

#(3)Decongestants such as sudafed, tylenol sinus, and many others...

#(4)Caffeine containing analgesics such as excedrin, anacin, B.C.headache powder, and others...

#(5)And butalbital compounds in fiorinal, fioricet, esgic plus, and others. So the list goes on...

We know that you have to have relief,but you don't want migraines to turn to chronic everyday migraines.

Just use common sense about the amount to take, and how often you take the above medicines. You can take these though.

Pain pills that may not give rebound headaches.

They aren't many, but you can take Acetaminophen, Aspirin without caffeine, but watch the stomach, bleeding could occur.

I like this for pain, Ibuprofen, gives no rebound if taken in moderation. But one has to use common sense when taking any kind of pain medicine for migraines. Try a preventive medicine, and look for the trigger/cause of your migraines, and eliminate them if you can.

So think, do you take these?

They are hormone replacement therapy, and hormonal treatments, and other things connected with hormones.

Also adrenaline drugs, stimulants, and diet pills. Vasodilators for the heart. And others such as some antidepressants. The list seems endless, so one has to be one guard continually for headache triggers.

We hope you find your migraine headache triggers, and have many pain free day.

Does any food send your head through the roof?

Out of all the foods and beverages, tell us which one makes your head hurt.

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