I use to get ocular migraines frequently from jogging. It took me a few years to figure that out. I tried taking ibuprofen an hour before the jog, but it did not reduce the frequency. Although it made me sad that I cannot jog anymore, I'm more happy to not get the ocular migraines anymore. Instead I have now fell in love with Yoga, it will never replace the jogging but it has it's own beauty to it.
Find Your Trigger
There is some great information here, but no one has addressed the possibilities of migraine due to non-food sources. My biggest triggers are environmental air quality factors. Things sure to trip my migraine activity is fragrances of all kinds (personal care items or cleaners, candles, incense, etc., scented fabric softeners are evil to me), chemical off-gassing and odors, cleanser odors, new materials off-gassing (new plastics, new leather, etc.), mold, pollens, animal dander, dustmites (big offender for me), dust, smoke of any kind, gas fumes, even unscented off-gassing from formaldehyde or welding fumes. New stereo or video components off-gas for months and will put me down so fast. New furniture will do the same. While I have specific food triggers, what is more vital is making sure my home environment is fragrance, chemical and as odor-free as possible.
Find Your Trigger
I thinks it's silly telling people not eat certain foods. For each individual Migraine Attacks are different.
Here are the common TRIGGERS:
Foods and food additives - Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin), monosodium glutamate (MSG), citrus fruits, meats with nitrites, saltFoods containing tyramines - Aged cheese, yogurt, sour cream, chicken livers, sausages, bananas, avocados, canned figs, raisins, peanuts, soy sauce, pickled fish, freshly baked breads, pork, vinegars, beans
Family history
Stress
Too much or too little sleep
Medications - Vasodilators (drugs that make blood vessels widen), oral contraceptives (birth control pills)
Smoking
Exposure to bright or fluorescent lighting
Strong odors - Perfumes, colognes, petroleum-based products
Hormonal changes -
Menstruation (common association), pregnancy, ovulation
Head trauma
Weather changes
Metabolic or infectious diseases
Physical exertion or fatigue
Motion sickness
Cold stimulus (eating ice cream)
YOU need to find your TRIGGER. Food is not mine but avoid MSG at all costs, Migraine or not. It's amazing how this screws up your body, yet it's everywhere.
I suffer from Sever Aura-Migraines, the worst kind. I figured out after 12 years it was a lack of sleep. Somehow my body requires at least 8 hours of sleep. If I get less sleep, I have to exercise much more than normal to avoid an attack.
The main problem is finding YOUR TRIGGER. I've never taken any pills for the headaches, But I'm very keen on trying some of the remedies here if I get an attack.
THE GOOD NEWS is the you won't suffer after 50. Migraines go away after 50 according to doctors.
Cool only 22 more years to go.I'm not sure I believe this unless I've heard it from a sufferer. Anyone care to add to this theory?
