In the general lore of society, the common migraine appears like a virtual inevitability, an almost invincible force of nature that rolls relentlessly over the helpless, suffering patient. This ailment is seen to bring severe head pain, weird visual effects, nausea, and other symptoms, yet never afflicting two people in exactly the same way. With this kind of legend behind it, the very thought of how to prevent migraines tends not to enter people’s awareness, let alone seem like an actual possibility.

As migraine specialists have discovered more and more triggers that bring on these headaches and their many attendant symptoms, they recognize that some of these triggers are indeed out of the patient’s control. And yet, as the researchers have learned more about the range of things that can cause this ailment, it has become clear that migraine sufferers can take charge of other triggers, eliminating or controlling them and truly learning how to prevent migraines.

Some triggers involve external factors, like second hand smoke or intense visual stimuli, such as glaring lights or reflected sunlight. Stress is another factor, which is why a migraine is sometimes mistaken for a simple stress headache. Another unavoidable external factor might be certain changes in weather or barometric pressure. And of course it’s not really possible for women to entirely avoid a menstrual migraine. But other triggers for migraines are found in foods or even aromas, and this is where the migraine sufferer can make changes. They will frequently notice that ingestion of certain foods will always be followed by a migraine, so eliminating those foods can help reduce occurrences. Gluten is one major culprit, and in fact, migraines can sometimes be a symptom of celiac disease. The incidence of other food triggers seems to be anecdotal and depends on each individual. But most researchers agree that avoiding things like dehydration and sudden changes in eating habits are crucial factors in preventing migraines.

What many specialists recommend is that migraine sufferers start to keep a diary, recording things that they suspect might be their own triggers. If they write everything down, and gradually begin to notice that certain things are mentioned over and over again in the diary, then they may have found some of the triggers that can be avoided in their attempt to keep migraines from occurring. This can be the first step in learning how to prevent migraines, and eliminating those triggers for themselves can help to augment the medical treatment they receive.

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