Many people suffer from severe migraines, which can leave them nauseous, sensitive to light, and in some cases, completely debilitated. While some migraines last for a couple of hours, some can last for a couple of days, making migraines of the worst sicknesses people face.
For those suffering from chronic migraines, it is a wise idea to visit a physician. Though there are natural migraine remedies, acute migraines are often treated most effectively with prescribed medication. However, if you are not enrolled in healthcare, it can be difficult to pay for a doctor’s visit or even find a doctor who is available to see you. Consequently, you might be facing a penalty, which you can check via a healthcare penalty calculator.
Moreover, because migraines can come on unexpectedly, it can be difficult to determine what specifically triggered the pain. While some people can pinpoint specifically what set them off, here are 5 migraine triggers that most people are unaware of:
- Skipping a Meal
For those who suffer from migraines, one of the worst things you can do is to skip a meal. Though researchers are not completely certain why skipping a meal can set off a migraine, many believe it is due to a drop in a person’s blood sugar. The blood sugar drop and the lack of energy the body feels from not having enough food fuel can set off a migraine.
- Vacation
Many know that stress can cause their migraines. However, extreme relaxation right after after a stressful period can trigger migraines, for going from one extreme to the other can affect the body.
When stressed, the body releases the hormone cortisol, and a sudden drop in cortisol can bring on a sudden migraine. In order to avoid this migraine trigger, try to work in small doses of relaxation during the stressful weeks or months, such as doing Yoga regularly or walking after work.
- Running
Even though running is a common exercise practice, for those who suffer from migraines, running can be a trigger. While regular exercise is actually a recommended way to reduce the frequency of migraines, the problem with running is that it is such a sudden spurt of physical energy. Most aerobic exercises begin slowly, the intensity level increasing slowly over the course of the workout, and finally tapering off near the end. However, running is often very intense from the start of the workout to the end, which can actually bring on a migraine.
- Meats
Meats like hot dogs, bacon, deli meat, and other cold cuts that contain nitrates can leave a person more susceptible to migraines. Anything containing nitrites or nitrates causes the blood vessels to dilate, which can lead to migraines, especially if someone is predisposed to having migraines.
- Dehydration
While most people are aware that dehydration is not good for the body, many do not realize that dehydration can exacerbate migraines. Research has shown that those who drink enough water throughout the day experience less headaches than those who do not.
If you suffer from migraines, these 5 things could be worsening them.