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Migraine consists of a very intense headache, of which its origin is not yet known, but it is thought that it may be related to an imbalance of neurotransmitters and hormones, caused by certain habits that occur in daily life .
There are several causes that may be at its origin or that may contribute to its onset, the most common being:
1. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes are related to the occurrence of migraine attacks and it is thought that these attacks are associated with the drop in the amount of estrogens that occurs at the beginning of menstruation and the onset of menopause.
In addition, some women who use combined oral contraceptives may also experience migraine attacks more often.
What to do: In these cases, migraine can be relieved with painkillers and anti-inflammatories, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin or, if it is not enough, there are other medication options that can be used when prescribed by the doctor. If the attacks are very frequent, it is recommended to go to the gynecologist, who can recommend supplementation or hormone replacement therapy for women who are entering menopause. and alteration of contraceptives in women of childbearing age.
2. Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in sleep patterns or poor sleep quality is also one of the causes of migraine. Some researchers defend the relationship between migraine and sleep quality may be associated with bruxism, sleep apnea or periods of stress and anxiety.
What to do: the ideal is to adopt sleep habits that allow you to have a relaxed night, such as avoiding heavy meals before going to sleep, watching TV in the bedroom and avoiding excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Learn how to do a proper sleep hygiene.
3. Intense physical activity
Intense physical activity can cause migraines if the person starts the activity suddenly or is not well fed, because the body does not have enough oxygen or sugar to support the intensity of the exercises.
What to do: Preparation for physical exercise is very important to obtain good results and, therefore, it is important to invest in warm-up before training and in adequate food some time before beginning the exercise. Know what to eat before and after your workout.
4. Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are one of the most common causes of migraine, as they lead to the production of hormones such as adrenaline and norepinephrine, responsible for several changes in the body.
What to do: Taking steps to reduce stress and anxiety is the most effective way to prevent migraine attacks. Thus, it is important to adopt a balanced diet, to practice regular physical exercise, to manage time well, to get enough rest to restore energy. In addition, in some cases, it may be necessary to do therapy with the help of a psychologist.
5. Dramatic changes in the climate
Drastic changes in the weather, such as a sudden rise in temperature, for example, can trigger a migraine attack. In addition, exposure to very loud and high-pitched sounds, as in nightclubs, or to very strong lights and odors, can also be a risk factor for migraine sufferers.
What to do: People who experience frequent migraine attacks when exposed to these factors should avoid them as much as possible.
6. Dietary changes
Some eating habits, such as the consumption of soft drinks, alcoholic drinks or drinks with a lot of caffeine, or changes in diet, such as increased intake of food additives or food with a lot of salt, eating too fast or skipping meals, are risk factors for developing migraine.
What to do: Adopting a balanced diet and reducing the consumption of salt, food additives and alcoholic beverages can help to decrease the frequency of crises. See which foods improve and make migraines worse.
In addition to these causes there are some factors that increase the risk of certain people developing a migraine, such as being a woman, having a family history of migraine, being around 30 years of age and suffering from hypertension.
How to identify the cause of migraine?
To try to identify the cause of migraine, a great tip is to write on a paper as if it were a diary what you are doing and eating throughout the day, or if there were moments of stress, in order to relate the appearance of the migraine with what was noted in the diary. Know the symptoms of migraine.
Which remedies to relieve migraine
The remedies that can be used to relieve migraines are painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin. However, these drugs are not always effective, and in these cases, the doctor may recommend others, such as triptans, that cause blood vessels to constrict and block pain, antiemetics for nausea caused by migraine, or opioids, for example. See other remedies and know what side effects they can cause.
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