Chronic migraines can happen as a result of many different factors.
Chronic migraines are defined as more than two migraines a week, or more than 15 headache days per month. Anyone who suffers from chronic migraines will tell you that they are no walk in the park. Migraines are even more frustrating because it isn’t always clear why they happen. Family history and chemical imbalances in the brain are two contributing factors, but there are many other things to consider, like age, sex, and related medical conditions.
What doctors do know, is that migraines have triggers. Triggers are defined as lifestyle or environmental factors that can bring on a migraine. So while you may not be able to control your migraines completely, you can limit your exposure to triggers, and thus reduce the number of migraines you experience per month.
Here are five surprising triggers for chronic migraines:
Poor Posture- Tense neck muscles as a result of poor posture can irritate nerves in your neck that cause migraines.
Dehydration- Poor hydration can cause stress on all the body’s systems, and trigger migraines.
READ MORE: How to Pinpoint What Triggers Your Migraines
Overusing Medication- Constantly taking over the counter medications for migraines can actually cause more headaches, known as ‘rebound headaches’.
Caffeine and Alcohol- If you regularly drink caffeine or alcohol, skipping a cup or glass can cause a migraine.
Weather Changes- Changes humidity and barometric pressure can trigger migraines, since your eyeballs are actually your body’s response to changes in weather pressure.