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Is that a fact?

Stress and fatigue can trigger migraine headaches.

Correct! According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stress and fatigue can trigger migraine headaches.2

Incorrect. According the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stress and fatigue can trigger migraine headaches.2

Make sure to consult your doctor about headache diagnosis and treatment

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Migraine Triggers

What triggers a migraine?

Certain triggers may increase your risk of a migraine attack. While triggers do not directly cause migraines, they are thought to activate abnormal brain activity in people who are prone to get migraine headaches.1

Tracking your triggers

Migraine triggers vary from person to person, and a single trigger won’t necessarily cause a migraine headache every time you’re exposed to it.1 A combination of triggers may be more likely to bring on an attack.2 And sometimes migraines come on spontaneously — during sleep, for instance.3

It’s a good idea to keep track of the factors that may trigger your migraines. By avoiding your triggers, you may be able to reduce the number of migraine headaches you get.1

Potential migraine triggers1,2,4

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Trigger Category

Potential Trigger Examples

Diet
  • Skipping meals
  • Fasting
  • Specific foods
  • Food preservatives (e.g., nitrates, MSG)
  • Alcohol and red wine
  • Coffee, tea, and cola
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Excess sugar
    		•

    Sleep
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Oversleeping
  • Sleeping too little
  • Napping
    		•

    Hormonal changes
  • Menstrual cycle
    		•

    Weather
  • Weather and temperature changes
  • Barometric pressure changes
    		•

    Lighting
  • Bright or glaring lights
  • Flashing lights or screens
    		•

    Odors and pollution
  • Smoke or smog
  • Chemical odors
  • Perfumes and fragrances
    		•

    Stress and emotions
  • High or accumulated stress
  • Anxiety, depression, or grief
  • Stress letdown on weekends, vacation, or after ending a stressful project
    		•

    Physical factors
  • Physical overexertion
  • Exercising in the heat
  • Becoming overtired
  • Eyestrain
    		•

    Some common food triggers1,2,4

    Below is a list of common food triggers. However, food triggers can vary widely, and yours may be different.

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    • Aged cheese (and other foods, such as smoked fish, that contain tyramine)
    • Alcohol and red wine
    • Artificial sweeteners
    • Chocolate
    • Citrus fruits
    • Coffee, tea, and cola
    • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    • Nitrates in cured and processed meats (hot dogs and lunch meats)
    • Nuts and peanut butter
    • Salty foods

    Migraine warning signs

    The signs can be subtle. You might feel tired, or become very sensitive to noise or light.3


    check your warning signs

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