Chances are, you’ll never know. New research from Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center concluded that it is nearly impossible for patients to reliably determine what sets off migraines without participating in formal medical studies. The problem is that too many variables - such as weather, diet, hormone levels, sleep, physical activity and stress - occurring at the same time make it unlikely that you’ll be able to zero in on the one (or ones) that are the actual triggers. In a study published online March 27, 2013, by the journal Headache, the research team illustrated what is involved in scientifically identifying migraine triggers. The investigators recruited nine women who had regular menstrual cycles and had been diagnosed with migraine either with or without aura. The women kept detailed diaries for three months, including tracking their stress levels daily via a questionnaire that helped them assess the impact of everyday events. The researchers also collected daily morning urine samples from the women for hormone level testing and reviewed three years’ worth of weather data from a local weather station. And even with these parameters, the investigators recognized they weren't able to cover all the variables. If you really want to pinpoint what causes your migraines, the authors concluded, you’ll have to work with your doctor to devise a fine-tuned experiment that can reveal the triggers.
Source:
Dana P. Turner, Timothy T. Houle, et al. “Causality and Headache Triggers”. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 2013; 53 (4): 628 DOI: 10.1111/head.12076
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