I'm a doctor and this is what is causing your migraines

GP Neel Patel is a Lloyds Pharmacy online doctor
-Credit:Lloyds Pharmacy


A doctor has revealed a number of migraine triggers that everyone should know about. GP Dr Neel Patel explained migraines have various causes, some of which people find “surprising”.

A migraine is a neurological disorder that causes severe headaches, often on one side of the head. It can also cause people to feel nauseous, vomit, be sensitive to light and sound, and cause visual disturbances, like flashing lights or blind spots

Dr Patel, an Lloyds Pharmacy online doctor, has highlighted some things you want to avoid going forward including certain foods, weather and changes in routine. His advice is listed below:

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Weather

Thunderstorms are thought to trigger migraines due to the changes in atmospheric pressure. Dr Patel said: “Changes in this pressure are thought to contribute to chemical and electrical changes in the head, irritating the nerves and, as a result, potentially triggering a migraine.”

Relaxing after stress

This may seem surprising, but relaxing after a stressful week can also cause a migraine due to the decline of stress hormones you experience.

He said: “Have you ever had a stressful working week where you feel okay, but then after a lie-in on Saturday, you wake up with a migraine? It’s due to the decrease in stress hormones, which cause a rapid release of neurotransmitters (the brain’s chemical messengers).

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“This release triggers impulses to blood vessels, instructing them to constrict and dilate, which is what causes the migraine. To avoid this, try not to sleep too long on the weekends as more than 8 hours of sleep at a time can cause a migraine.”

Certain foods

Bananas can trigger migraines because they contain substances called amines. Dr Patel said: “When eaten in large quantities, food like bananas, which contain amines, can cause symptoms of a migraine. They’re fine to eat in moderation, but if you find they are a trigger for you, cut down your intake.”

The GP said interestingly soft cheeses like camembert and brie can trigger migraine attacks due to the chemical compound tyramine. He added: “Tyramine is found in aged and fermented foods, and can trigger migraine attacks in people who are sensitive to it.

"However, not everyone is affected by tyramine; it mainly impacts those who are amine-sensitive or have trouble breaking down amines. If you think this could be a trigger for you, it’s a good idea to keep a food diary to cross reference your food intake with any symptoms.”

Changes in routine

Changes to regular routines, such as changing your sleep-wake cycle, going on holiday, or traveling for long periods of time, can trigger migraines.

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He said: “It’s not uncommon for varying sleep patterns, long journeys, or changes to meal times to trigger migraines. Many people find going on holiday can be a trigger, due to the variety of changes that take place.”

Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding can happen when you are awake or asleep. While the cause of teeth grinding is often unclear, it’s often linked to stress and anxiety, sleep problems like snoring or sleep apnoea, drinking alcohol and illegal drug use.

Dr Patel said: “Some people grind their teeth during the night and find they wake with head pain, which can also extend to the face, neck, and shoulder. If this happens to you, you can visit a dentist who may be able to prescribe a mouth plate called occlusal splints, which can reduce teeth grinding.”