- Eating certain foods or ingredients, like caffeine, alcohol, fermented foods, chocolate and cheese.
- Exposure to allergens.
- Secondhand smoke.
- Strong odors from household chemicals or perfumes.
The following are also triggers of headaches and migraines:
- Alcohol use.
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
- Depression.
- Emotional stress related to family and friends, work or school.
- Excessive medication use.
- Eye, neck or back strain caused by poor posture.
- Lighting.
- Noise.
- Weather changes.
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Getting an accurate diagnosis
Studies have shown that the rates of migraine diagnosis and treatment vary significantly between Blacks, Hispanics and whites. Although the prevalence of migraine is similar (14.5%, 14.5% and 15.5% respectively), Blacks and Hispanics utilize health care at a disproportionate rate compared to whites.
Blacks, who suffer from severe headaches, are more likely to get a diagnosis of probable migraine, while whites get a more definitive diagnosis. This makes migraine more severe and more likely to become chronic among Blacks and African Americans, which can lead to increased depression and disability and a lower quality of life. This is why it is so important to get an accurate diagnosis.
Talk with your healthcare provider about what you are experiencing. He or she will complete a physical examination, discuss your medical history and talk to you about your headache symptoms.
During the headache evaluation, your provider will ask you a series of questions about your headache history to get a better understanding of what you are experiencing including:
- A description of your headaches.
- What the headaches feel like.
- How often the headaches happen.
- How long the headaches last each time.
- How much pain the headaches cause you.
- What foods, drinks or events trigger your headaches.
- How much caffeine you drink each day.
- What your stress level are.
- What your sleep habits are like.
- If you have any work issues.
Additionally, your headache can be more accurately diagnosed, according to Cleveland Clinic, by knowing:
- When the headache started.
- How long you have had the headache.
- Whether there is a single type of headache or multiple types of headaches.
- How often the headache occurs.
- What causes the headache, if known (for example, do certain situations, foods, or medications usually trigger the headache?).
- If physical activity aggravates the headache pain.
- What events are associated with the headache.
- Who else in your family has headaches.
- What symptoms, if any, occur between headaches.
Once you are diagnosed, your doctor will be able to efficiently treat you. There are a range of treatments available depending on your headache type, frequency and cause. You may also benefit from treating any health problems that may be causing your headaches, such as high blood pressure.