Some common triggers for migraine

Migraine occurs three times more in women than in men. There is evidence of a genetic element and can run in the families. Migraines more often occur in people with epilepsy, strokes, asthma, anxiety, stress and neurological disorders. Migraines occur equally in children but become more common in girls after puberty. In children migraine may show up as stomach pains (stomach migraine), nausea, vertigo, unsteady balance and behavioural changes.

Warning symptoms such as aura may occur before the headache e.g. flashing lights and blind spots which can be very disabling and the pain can last from hours to days. It can be a pulsating or throbbing pain with nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds, blurred vision, tingling sensation on the side of the face, dizziness, fatigue and sometimes with the loss of power in the extremities.

If you have any of these symptoms or similar symptoms, you should always consult your G.P as soon as possible to rule out and treat any serious conditions.

Here are some of the common triggers:

• Flashing lights
  
• Stress/anxiety
  
• Hormonal changes
  
• Frequent yawning
  
• Neck stiffness
  
• Mood changes from sadness to euphoric
  
• Lack of sleep
  
• Lack of food and low blood sugar levels
  
• Dehydration (increased thirst)
  
• Frequency of urination
  
• Constipation
  
• Food binges
  
• Foods such as MSG, chocolate, soya sauce, cheese, processed foods especially processed meats
  
• Fermented foods
  
• Caffeine can be both help or a hinderance
  
• Good to keep a journal to keep a track of your triggers
  

We have recently launched a new and evidence based treatment to our clinic called Physiological Regulating Medicine (PRM)

In our clinic we use a multi prong approach in treating this and many other conditions. We also use other evidence based therapies such as low dose medicine (LDM), gut health and microbiome restoration, nutritional and nutraceutical therapies, lifestyle medicine, complex homeopathy, herbals, and needle free medical acupuncture to achieve excellent results.