Can You Develop Migraines Later in Life?
Are you well into adulthood and worried you’ve started to experience migraines? Are you wondering if that’s even possible? We answer that question and more here.
4 Lesser-Known Migraine Triggers
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense headaches. Severe headaches are often referred to as migraines; however, migraines have their own symptoms that distinguish them from other types of headaches.
A migraine headache can last four hours to several days and cause debilitating pain. This genetic disorder is common, affecting about 12% of the US population. Globally, studies show, migraines are among the most disabling diseases, ranking sixth.
Because migraines can drastically affect your quality of life, our team at AllCare wants you to know what might trigger them, including some lesser-known causes.
What it’s like to have a migraine
Migraines typically occur in stages, with different symptoms in each.
The first stage, prodrome, begins a few days before the headache. Symptoms can include:
- Food cravings
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Neck stiffness
In the next stage, aura, you may have difficulty with your vision, movement, and speech. Not everyone who experiences migraines experiences the aura phase. Those who do may experience symptoms that include:
- Trouble speaking clearly
- Prickling sensation in your face, arms, and legs
- Seeing shapes or bright spots
- Temporary loss of vision
After aura comes the attack phase, the most intense and longest-lasting migraine stage. The symptoms vary widely from person to person, but commonly reported attack symptoms include:
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Pain on one side of your head
- Pulsing or throbbing head pain
- Vomiting
About a day after your migraine attack, you enter the final stage, postdrome, which can affect your mood. You may feel irritable or euphoric.
Every person is unique, and the migraine symptoms you experience can differ from someone else’s.
What might trigger your migraines?
Commonly understood triggers for migraines include emotional stress, skipped meals, hormone fluctuations, too much or not enough caffeine, constant use of pain relievers, and flashing lights. However, there are other triggers. Some that may be less known include:
- Changes in weather patterns
- Changes in your sleep habits
- Exposure to perfume or smoke
- Medications that cause swollen blood vessels
Understanding the range of possible triggers is the first step to narrowing down what’s causing your migraines. Avoiding triggers is one way to help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraine headaches.
Next steps
If you struggle with migraine attacks often, our team at AllCare stands ready to help. We can help you make lifestyle changes to avoid your migraine triggers. We also treat migraines and other headaches with chiropractic adjustments.
If you’re looking for relief from your migraines, contact us today for professional help. Call or use our online booking tool.
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