Common Causes of Migraines

A migraine is a type of headache that involves severe pain and throbbing of one or both sides of the head. This pain can often result in nausea, vomiting, and severe sensitivity to sound and light. They can often be so bad that they interfere with daily tasks or activities. If you’re struggling with migraines, your local women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC, Magnolia Place, is ready to help find potential causes and treatments. While the exact cause of migraines is not known, there are certain triggers that can cause these debilitating headaches.

Physical

When it comes to physical triggers, certain activities or physical feelings can cause migraines.

• Tiredness or a change in sleep schedule
• Poor posture
• Tension in the neck or shoulders
• Jet lag
• Low blood sugar
• Strenuous exercise, if your body is not used to it
• Sexual activities

If you’re starting to notice migraines occurring during certain activities, such as the ones listed above, your local women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC is here to assist you and ensure you’re feeling happy and healthy.

Emotional

Life can be uncertain and stressful at times, which causes changes in emotions or moods. Sudden shifts in moods or emotions as well as the gradual addition of stress or anxiety into one’s life can increase the chances of migraines to occur. Certain moods or emotions, such as:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Excitement
• Shock

These can be the root causes of migraines. They can also be induced by suppressing emotions, such as anger or stress. Finding ways to express emotions in a safe and healthy way, such as with therapy or exercise, can lower the chances of migraines.

Environmental

There are specific environmental factors that can trigger migraines in individuals, including:

• Bright, flashing, or flickering lights, such as fluorescent lights in a classroom or workspace
• Loud noises
• Smoke, perfumes, or other strong smells
• Changes in the weather or atmospheric pressure

Even high amounts of air pollution can trigger migraines. It’s important to consider additional environmental aspects of your life when thinking about the causes of migraines and how to prevent more from arising.

Dietary

For those with certain dietary restrictions or sensitivities, consuming specific foods or ingredients might cause a migraine to occur. Other foods or situations such as:

• Large amounts of caffeine
• Alcohol
• Dehydration
• Missed meals or irregular eating habits
• Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and preservatives

These can be migraine triggers. If you’re experiencing excruciating migraines, a local women’s healthcare practice Greenville NC, such as Magnolia Place, can assist you in finding triggers and causes of these headaches. Our nutritionists are happy to help patients curate a personalized plan to include more foods that are healthy and nutritious in their diets, which can reduce migraines and improve overall health.

Hormonal Changes

One of the most common causes of migraines is hormonal changes, especially in women and those with high estrogen levels. Certain women experience migraines more often around their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and at the beginning of menopause. Your local gynecologist in Greenville NC, such as Magnolia Place, offers services that take care of the holistic side of women’s health and is ready to assist patients with ailments such as hormone-induced migraines.

Magnolia Place | Women’s Healthcare Practice Greenville NC

Whether it’s migraine prevention and treatment or any topic otherwise in women’s health, Magnolia Place, a women’s health specialist and gynecologist in Greenville NC practice, is dedicated to the overall health and wellness of our patients. We offer services such as massage therapy, soothing yoga, nutritional services, gynecology, obstetrics, primary care needs and more. For more information, please visit our website.