Thursday, February 10, 2011
What Causes a Migraine?
According to the Mayo Clinic, migraines may be caused by changes in the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin — which helps regulate pain in your nervous system — also may be involved.
In addition to serotonin, some foods seem to serve as triggers for a migraine headache. Common offenders include alcohol, especially beer and red wine; aged cheeses; chocolate; aspartame; overuse of caffeine; monosodium glutamate — a key ingredient in some Asian foods; salty foods; and processed foods. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger migraines.
It appears that migraine triggers are as unique as the individual suffering from them as stress, bright lights, barometric changes and hormones can also cause migraines to develop.