Scientists are still researching the precise cause of migraine, but we know it can strike at any time. Small changes in your life can have a profound effect. If you’re suddenly getting migraine attacks, it’s natural to want to know why.
Migraine is a debilitating condition that can affect every aspect of your life, from your mental health to your job. If you’re experiencing sudden migraine, the first step is identifying the cause. From there, you can find a treatment plan that works for you.
7 reasons you could suddenly experience frequent migraine attacks
There are several reasons you could suddenly get migraine every day. Migraine relates to your body’s trigeminal nerve, which conveys information, including pain. Many common migraine triggers are connected to your lifestyle: what you eat, what your daily routine looks like, etc. Ask yourself whether you’ve undergone any lifestyle changes recently.
The first step to treating your attacks is knowing what’s causing them. A few common triggers for sudden migraine include:
1. Medication changes
Certain medications can trigger migraine, including birth control and nitrates. If you’ve recently changed your medication, it could be the cause of your sudden attacks. Check with your healthcare provider before stopping any medicines. Some people only experience migraine while their bodies adjust to the medication.
If you started taking contraceptives in the last few months, the hormonal changes could be an issue. You have other options, including a intrauterine device (IUD). Non-hormonal birth control may provide protection without the side effects of migraine.
2. Hormonal changes
One of the reasons women experience migraine more than men is hormones. The menstrual cycle and menopause cause significant hormonal shifts. These rapid changes can trigger migraine attacks.
Hormonal migraine often eases over time. For example, it may stop once your pregnancy is over or when you’ve gone through menopause.
3. Stress
Stress is among the most common migraine triggers. Consider if anything in your current life is causing you more stress than usual. While stress is a natural part of life, there are things you can do to relax and cope, which may ease migraine symptoms.
4. Food and beverages
Have you added anything new to your diet? For example, you may be drinking more coffee to boost your energy at work. Caffeine, alcohol and some preservatives are common triggers for many. Some people are affected by aged cheese and processed foods, so avoiding those items could address the issue.
5. Long COVID
Headaches are one of the most frequent symptoms that persist or develop after contracting COVID-19. Some studies show that if you have a predisposition for migraine, COVID-19 can be a trigger. Migraine symptoms are associated with long COVID headaches, which can occur long after you’ve recovered from the virus.
6. Physical activity
Starting vigorous exercise can be a migraine trigger. The link between migraine and exercise is complex. In some cases, light exercise can help people with migraine. In others, it can be a trigger. Quick or jerky movements in your neck and shoulders can exacerbate your symptoms, as can working out in hot or humid environments.
When you exercise, your heart rate increases and you lose water and electrolytes through sweat. Dehydration is another common migraine trigger. When your heart rate increases, your blood vessels dilate to circulate blood and oxygen, which can cause migraine.
7. General routine changes
Any change in your routine can trigger migraine. For example, has anything happened in your life that’s changed your sleep patterns? Too much or too little sleep can trigger migraine.
Your triggers could stem from a new environment. You may have moved to a new house or started using new cleaning products. Narrowing down your triggers is often a process of elimination. Think of anything different in your routine to assess whether it could trigger your attacks.
Treatment options to consider
Sudden-onset migraine can be challenging. Luckily, you have plenty of treatment options. Migraine often requires a holistic approach, which means trying many things. In time, you’ll find a routine that works for you. Remember, migraine is different for everyone, and what works for one person may not be effective for another.
Some treatment options to consider for sudden migraine:
Use CEFALY
CEFALY is an FDA-cleared migraine treatment device. It works by targeting the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is your body’s largest cranial nerve and the primary pathway for migraine pain.
If you experience migraine, you have a sensitive nervous system. The trigeminal nerve acts as a conductor, registering migraine pain. CEFALY relieves this pain by transmitting precise electrical impulses. Attach the electrode on your forehead, lie back, and start an ACUTE or PREVENT treatment.
Try medication
There are many medications on the market to help treat migraine. You can take painkillers and medicines called triptans, which change how blood circulates in your brain. You can also take medications to reduce the nausea that often accompanies migraine attacks.
Medications can be helpful, but there are limitations. Overuse of migraine medication can trigger attacks. You may experience other side effects like dizziness, drowsiness and nausea. Always consult a healthcare professional before taking migraine medication.
Make lifestyle changes
Making small changes in your daily routine can help prevent attacks. The following healthy habits can keep migraine at bay:
- Eat a balanced diet: Food and beverages can often trigger migraine. Aim for balanced meals at regular times every day, and limit triggers like caffeine and preservatives.
- Get some exercise: Regular physical activity can benefit those with migraine. Keep it slow and steady. Choose low-impact exercises with minimal impact, like walking, yoga and tai chi.
- Drink enough water: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger. Switch out the coffee for water and aim to drink around 2 liters daily.
- Get enough sleep: A sleep routine is essential to migraine prevention. Use your bedroom only for sleeping and remove all distractions, like your phone and TV. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
- Manage your stress: Try meditation, yoga and breathing exercises to relax.
Explore alternative migraine treatments
If you prefer drug-free migraine therapy, you have plenty of options. There is growing evidence that acupuncture is effective for migraine, with fewer side effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you change your thought patterns and manage stress, as can massage and yoga. Physical therapy can ease your symptoms.
With many alternative treatments, it makes sense to try different ones until you find something that works. Consider joining a migraine support group to get more information on the therapies others have tried.
Try CEFALY with our 90-day money-back guarantee
Sudden migraine pain can change your life. Medication can work for a while, but you may prefer a non-pharmaceutical, non-prescription alternative. CEFALY can relieve migraine symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Use the ACUTE treatment as soon as you feel an attack coming on and the PREVENT treatment daily to desensitize the trigeminal nerve over time.
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