What could be worse than a migraine attack? How about having frequent attacks without a clear understanding of why they’re happening? That was my experience. And what was more than that, I didn’t have an effective way to stop the pain.
Over the years, I’ve realized that prevention is the key to managing migraines. But to prevent them, you’ll need to understand what causes them. So I did some research. And I uncovered three triggers that I would’ve never thought could be causing my migraines. They may be causing yours.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat and several other grains. People who are gluten sensitive or intolerant can react to gluten, and headaches are one way. Once I was diagnosed with celiac and went to a gluten-free diet, I noticed I had fewer migraines each week.
MSG
Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a food additive that enhances the flavor of our foods. But for some people, MSG elevates certain chemicals in the brain and can trigger migraines.
Changes in the Weather
When I tracked my migraines, I noticed I had more migraines during the summer. That’s pretty normal, though. For some people, changes in the weather or barometric pressure cause chemical imbalances in the brain that can bring on migraines. Also, when it’s hotter outside, we sweat more. And when we sweat, we lose fluids. So dehydration could be playing a role in my migraines.
How are you managing your migraines? If you’re struggling, you may want to track them. Tracking your migraines will give you a better idea about what causes them, so you can prevent them and have more pain-free days! Huddy Health offers products that make it easy to monitor your chronic condition. You may also want to pay close attention to your food labels and avoid foods with gluten and MSG⎯they could be the culprit.