According to medical experts, migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by intense headaches, nausea, numbness, and vision disturbances. This condition is marked by heightened sensitivity to light and sound. A migraine attack can last up to three days in some cases. Its onset is linked to the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, as well as dysfunction in the nervous system.
Among the key triggers for migraines are stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, bright lights, loud noises, premenstrual syndrome in women, excessive sun exposure, sleep disturbances, and irregular eating patterns. However, there are also other, less obvious factors contributing to this debilitating disorder that specialists advise paying attention to.
Perfumes
In 2016, a team of researchers from the American Headache Society discovered that the scent of perfumes is one of the primary causes of migraines.
The chemicals found in fragrance products activate olfactory signals in our brains, known as odorants, irritating the sinuses and triggering severe headaches.
Three-quarters of those who are sensitive to strong smells and suffer from migraines blame perfumes for their condition.
Sudden Relaxation
Migraine attacks following a stressful work week are not uncommon. Neurologists believe these episodes result from fluctuations in cortisol hormone levels. Cortisol levels rise during stress and drop during relaxation, which can trigger a migraine.
In 2014, researchers from the Montefiore Headache Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Yeshiva University (USA) studied the connection between post-stress relaxation and the onset of migraines. They found that individuals prone to this neurological disorder who experience a sudden drop in stress levels are at risk of having a migraine the following day. As doctors say, a migraine-prone brain does not like change.
Sex
As strange as it may seem, sex is also considered a potential trigger for migraines. However, it is often preceded by any intense physical activity, such as running, lifting heavy objects, or rowing.
Dr. Ali Zandi, a neurologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) who specializes in headaches, noted that healthful aerobic exercises are typically recommended to nearly all patients. Yet, paradoxically, certain types of exertion, including sex, can indeed lead to headaches.
Meanwhile, many people believe that sex actually alleviates migraine symptoms. They are convinced that the release of endorphins produced during orgasm blocks pain.
Weather
About one-third of patients who regularly suffer from migraines report that they most often experience this disorder when storm clouds gather, the sky darkens, and the wind picks up.
This is related to changes in atmospheric pressure. Typically, our sinuses are filled with air. When atmospheric pressure drops, a difference occurs between it and the air pressure in the sinuses, leading to temporal pain.
Anger
Think of something that once made you furious. Perhaps it was an unfair grade in school, or maybe someone cut you off on the highway during your commute. You immediately notice your shoulder muscles tightening and your neck becoming tense.
It turns out that high levels of anger are associated with increased muscle tension. This is a reflex response to external stressors, such as events that provoke rage. In fact, it’s the body’s way of protecting itself from pain. Such internal reactions to anger (as well as frustration) can lead to a migraine attack.
Teeth Grinding
Nearly 10 percent of people grind their teeth while sleeping or doing household chores. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as bruxism.
Teeth grinding is a subconscious habit. Typically, a person becomes a victim of it while sleeping, only to wake up with a severe headache.
Constant and involuntary teeth grinding leads to wear and tear on the temporomandibular joint – a sliding hinge that connects the skull to the jaw. It is surrounded by muscles that relax and contract to control the jaw. The muscles around the temporomandibular joint are also connected to the cheeks and chin. When you clench your teeth, painful sensations can reverberate around the mouth and throughout the brain.
Aged Cheeses
Many delicious aged cheeses – such as Camembert, Gorgonzola, cheddar, and Parmesan – contain the alkaloid tyramine. This organic compound can trigger severe headaches, raise blood pressure, and increase blood sugar levels, as reported by the Daily Mail.
It’s worth noting that the longer cheese is aged, the more tyramine it contains. This alkaloid initially causes constriction, followed by dilation of the blood vessels in the brain.