A migraine trigger is something that temporarily increases a person’s likelihood of developing a migraine headache. For some people with migraine, certain smells, foods, or even changes in the weather may act as migraine triggers
A trigger might not cause a migraine every time a person encounters it. Sometimes, several triggers together can set off a migraine. These triggers will differ from person to person.
In this article, we discuss various types of migraine triggers, ways of managing them, and when to contact a doctor.
Light
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), bright or flashing lights can trigger migraine headaches.
A 2014 reviewTrusted Source reports around 40%Trusted Source of those with migraine experience a migraine attack as the result of visual stimuli. Neuroimaging has shown that people with migraine have a different brain structure that processes visual information.
Authors of the review state that those with migraine appear to have an increased sensitivity to bright and flickering lights.
Additionally, people with migraine may have a condition called photophobia. This is a sensitivity to light that may occur even when a person is not having a migraine attack.
Tips to manage
A person may find it helpful to wear sunglasses when they are outside. Moreover, if a person is in an environment with artificial light, they can try to sit closer to the windows. It is also advisable to try to avoid sources of flickering light.
The American Migraine Foundation (AMF) states that green light is unlikely to trigger a migraine. A person can try to find bulbs that emit green light.
Sound
People with migraine are more sensitive to sound. Loud or sudden noises may be a migraine trigger for some people, according to NINDS. This can occur for approximately 50–75%Trusted Source of those with migraine.
Tips to manage
Avoiding loud noises can be challenging. If possible, a person should avoid spending time in loud and noisy environments, such as movie theaters and crowded clubs. They may also wish to try wearing hearing protection in noisy places.
Smell
According to AMF, certain odors can stimulate the nerves in the nasal passages, leading to a migraine headache. Some triggers include:
perfumes
household cleaning products
air fresheners
gasoline
strong-smelling foods
The 2014 review notes 50%Trusted Source of people with migraine report that perfumes and other smells can bring about a migraine headache.
Tips to manage
A person experiencing migraines can use unscented products to reduce their exposure to potential triggers.
Diet and food
Foods and ingredients act as triggers in approximately 50% of people with migraine headaches.
Potential triggers include:
aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener
monosodium glutamate
caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
alcohol, especially red wine
chocolate
certain fruits and nuts
yeast
aged cheeses
pickled or fermented products
processed or cured meats
A 2021 study of 3,935 people who experience migraine headaches found that plant food was a trigger for 40.3%, with the headache occurring within about 90 minutes of consuming the food.
The most common trigger in the study was watermelon, which caused a headache in 29.5% of the participants.
Tips to manage
A person can keep a food diary to help identify the foods that trigger a migraine headache.
Hormones NINDS notes that hormonal changes may impact the occurrence of migraine headaches in a variety of ways. For example, migraine headaches may occur around the time of a person’s menstruation or during pregnancy. They may also develop in people who start taking birth control pills. NINDS also states that migraine headaches may improve after menopause. Tips to manage For hormone-related triggers, a person can seek guidance from a healthcare professional, such as a headache specialist or gynecologist, to find the most suitable treatment plan. A person may also wish to try birth control methods to help stabilize their hormone levels.
Stress
Emotional reactions and stress may be triggers for some people with migraine. Almost 70% of people with migraine report that stress is a trigger.
Depression and anxiety are other potential causes.
Tips to manage
The AMF suggests a person make a list of stressors and attempt to reduce these in their daily life.
They can also try:
biofeedback therapy
meditation
exercise
relaxation therapy
developing or maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Can weather be a trigger?
Just over a third of people who have migraine headaches say that certain types of weather sometimes bring about a migraine attack.
Research on the role of weather patterns in triggering migraine headaches is so far inconclusive. However, studies suggest that some people with migraines may be sensitive to the following weather changes:
a drop in barometric pressure
long periods of sunshine
strong winds
Other potential migraine triggers may include:
too much or not enough sleep
medications
skipping meals
overexertion
motion sickness
alcohol
dehydration
If possible, a person with migraine should eat regularly and drink plenty of fluids. They should also aim for 7–8 hours of sleep per night.
Prevention
People who have migraine attacks at least once per week may want to consider preventive therapy.
Medications that may help prevent migraine attacks include:
anticonvulsants
beta-blockers
calcium channel blockers
antidepressants
botulinum toxin A
Aimovig and similar drugs, which block the action of a molecule called calcitonin gene-related peptide
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Treatment
Medical treatment for migraines involves addressing symptoms of an attack or taking steps to prevent or reduce attack frequency.
The following drugs may ease migraine attack symptoms:
triptan drugs, which are available as tablets, nasal sprays, and injections
ergot derivative drugs, which are available as injections and nasal sprays
over-the-counter pain relievers
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
antinausea medication, also known as antiemetic drugs
lasmiditan (Reyvow), which is a type of serotonin receptor agonist
A healthcare professional may also prescribe calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source, these drugs appear to decrease the number of migraine headaches and have fewer warnings and precautions than other types of migraine drugs.
CGRP inhibitors include:
ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)
rimegepant (Nurtec)
erenumab (Aimovig)
fremanezumab (Ajovy)
galcanezumab (Emgality)
Home remedies
A person can take several steps to ease symptoms of a migraine attack. These include:
resting in a dark, quiet room with the eyes closed
placing an ice pack or cool cloth on the forehead
drinking plenty of fluids
consuming a small amount of caffeine