Factors that triggers Headaches

•Stress & Anxiety-
Particularly for chronic tension headaches or migraine,
stress can be a powerful trigger. Stress can come from major life events such
as a divorce or moving. But constant "daily hassles" can have an even bigger
effect.
•Foods
- Between 8 and 25 percent of people with migraine point to a particular
food as a source of their attacks. Food, especially those that contain amines,
which affect the diameter of your blood vessels--may trigger migraines. Any--
or none--of these foods may bring on your migraine symptoms:
•Any fermented, pickled or marinated food
•Avocados
•Bananas
•Caffeinated drinks
•Chicken liver
•Chinese food
•Chocolate
•Citrus fruits
•Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer
•Nuts or peanut butter
•Pizza
•Processed meats (hot dogs and sausages)
•Raisins
•Red wine
•Ripened cheeses (cheddar, Stilton, Brie, Camembert)
•Sourdough bread
•Some vegetables (including onions, lentils and snow peas)
•Sour cream


•Hormones
- Many women with migraine have attacks linked to their
menstrual cycles. Fluctuating estrogen levels are thought to play a role.
Menstrual migraines can be more debilitating, difficult to treat, and last longer
than other migraines. Migraine also may worsen in early pregnancy, but in
later pregnancy, it generally improves. Migraine typically declines in
frequency as women age. There is evidence that oral contraceptives or
estrogen-replacement therapy can provoke or worsen migraine in some
women. Overall, females are affected more commonly then males.

•Other common triggers include:
odor of perfume, flowers or natural gas;
changes in weather or altitude; cigarette smoking; alcoholic consumption;
excessive noise and bright or fluorescent light.