Treatment Options For Migraine Headaches in Women - Defining and Stopping Triggers

There are many treatment options for migraine headaches in women. One may choose anything from natural remedies, lifestyle changes, prevention, to prescription medications. Just like no two snowflakes are the same, no two people suffer migraines in the same way. Although migraines are different in every person, researchers believe that women who suffer from migraines are hypersensitive to migraine triggers. By knowing what triggers a migraine, doctors can use the avoidance of known triggers as treatment options for migraine headaches in women.



Migraine triggers are defined as any factor regularly associated with the onset of a migraine. As you read through these examples try and see if you can pick out a few triggers that you think may have been responsible for one or more of your migraines. Try to think of the meal you ate or what you were doing. Was it a bright sunny day, a cloudy day, did you work longer that day, go shopping? Try writing down in a journal details about your day and see if you find anything from this list in your journal.



Drug/ Chemical Triggers







Anti-asthma medication

Histamines

Diuretics

Nitroglycerin

Reserpine

Hydralazine







Physical Migraine Triggers







Head Trauma

Not Eating at regular times

Intense physical play or work

Irregular sleep patterns

Sleeping too much or too little

Fatigue







Food Triggers







Alcohol

Meats with sodium nitrates (hot dogs, deli meats)

Dairy Products

Aspartame

Chocolate

Caffeine (including those beverages like coffee, tea, soda)

MSG (monosodium glutamate) an additive found in some processed meats, soups and salad dressings.



MSG can also be called for in some recipes, especially in Asian foods

Citrus foods







Hormonal Triggers







Pre menstruation and Menstruation

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Hormone Supplements







Environmental Migraine Triggers







Bright Sunlight

Certain Patterns (stripes, zigzags etc)

Motion or travel (car travel, boats)

Flashing or flickering lights (fluorescent lights going out)

Second hand smoke

Strong odors

Air pollution







Psychological Migraine Triggers







Stress

Anxiety

Worry

Depression







As I stated before, no one person will get a migraine from every one of these triggers but there can be one or more that set off a migraine when you come in contact with them.



Treatment options for migraine headaches in women involve many strategies; managing triggers are just one aspect. Staying away from any triggers that you know cause a migraine in you can result in the prevention of a migraine altogether. You are in charge of your health care; make sure you cover every option.