Common Triggers for Migraines in Sun Prairie, WI
Stress
Stress is a trigger for almost 70% of migraine sufferers. Not only do sufferers of migraines have to manage everyday stress, they also have the unknown element of wondering when the next migraine attack will occur. This stress compounds on each other and leads to an exhausting cycle. Any type of stress can be damaging to the immune system, making you more susceptible to getting sick.
This is why it is so important to identify what causes stress in your life and how you best manage it. This may include meditation, exercise, better and consistent sleep in addition to chiropractic adjustments. A combination of these will decrease your migraines but also improve your overall health.
Sleep
Adequate sleep is vital to your body’s overall function and migraines are just one side effect of poor sleep. It is estimated that 68% of Americans struggle with sleep. Sleep renews and repairs all parts of the body, including the brain! In fact, half of migraine attacks occur between the hours of 4AM and 9AM, putting those with sleep disorders at a greater risk.
One of the best things you can do for your overall health is get adequate sleep. Going to bed and waking at about the same time every day (even weekends), limiting caffeine and screen time at night are just a few examples of establishing better sleep patterns. Make sure your neck is also properly supported while you sleep and not causing any extra stress on your neck and head.
Hormones
As mentioned above, women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men – they are actually 3 times more likely! Many women report migraines after significant life changes such as menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. This is because women’s hormones fluctuate, especially the female hormone estrogen. When estrogen levels fluctuate too much, it can trigger migraines. Hormones are very complex, especially when they occur in a cyclical pattern. It’s important to look into other factors that may help balance hormones such as changes in diet and lifestyle modifications to help decrease the amount of migraines you have.
Diet and Dehydration
As noted above, it may be helpful to keep track of any migraine triggers, especially when it comes to diet. Foods containing histamine, MSG, chocolate, cheese, artificial sweeteners, caffeine and cured meats are common migraine aggravators. As a rule, your diet is one of the most powerful ways to control your health.
Besides diet, dehydration is another common cause of migraines as 1/3 of people say dehydration is their trigger. 17%-28% of older adults in the United States are not drinking enough water. The general rule of thumb is you should be drinking half of your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a person weighing 150 lbs should drink at least 75 oz of water every day.
Not only is dehydration detrimental to your body’s healing, it can also cause dizziness and confusion.
Medication overuse
As chiropractors, we are not against medication. However, we believe there is a time and a place for medication. More than 70% of American adults are on some type of prescription medication-and half of those people take more than one medication.
Ironically, some headache medications can actually cause headaches, especially if those medications are taken more than 10 days out of a month. Even medications for heart and blood pressure concerns have headaches as a listed side effect.
There are so many natural, safer, alternatives to pain management including chiropractic care, massage and relaxation therapy. The less medication needed for headaches, the less chemicals and toxins your body has to filter.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Migraine
Can going to a chiropractor help with migraines?
Absolutely! A chiropractor should be the first call you make for migraine relief in Sun Prairie, WI. A misalignment of the spine can put pressure on the nerves and cause headaches. The chiropractors at Noble Choice Chiropractic have helped thousands of people find relief from migraines.
What is the quickest way to relieve a migraine?
If your migraine is caused by a misalignment of the spine, then a chiropractic adjustment is the quest way to align the spine. Some people feel instant relief from an adjustment and others feel it a few hours later.
What foods should I avoid during a migraine?
While every person is different, there are some triggers that are common between migraine sufferers. Foods with MSG, caffeine, cured meats and red wine are among the most reported trigger foods.
Are migraines bad for the brain?
There is no evidence that migraines are detrimental to the brain, however chronic pain is not good for it. This is because repeated pain signals like in chronic pain change how the brain processes pain, sometimes making it harder to control and overcome.
Does exercise help with migraines?
Yes! Exercise in general is great for your body not only because of the physical changes but the chemical ones as well. Dopamine, a “feel good” chemical is released after exercise which helps to decrease pain. Aerobic exercises like running, cycling and walking have been shown to also help alleviate migraines.
