Common Triggers for Migraines
Knowing what triggers your migraines can help you avoid the next one – and some triggers may surprise you.
Head Trauma and Headaches
Head pain can continue long after a head injury. What to know.
Children's Headaches: When to Call the Doctor
Learn how to tell the difference between a common childhood headache and one that requires medical attention.
Headaches in Children
Children get all kinds of headaches. Most are nothing to worry about and easy to treat.
Featured Articles
Headache Types and Treatments
Is it really a migraine? Correctly identifying your type of headache is key to effective treatment.
Migraine Food Triggers
Olive-induced headaches? Many different foods can trigger migraines. Learn your personal triggers and you can easily avoid some migraines.
Migraine Headache Relief and Treatments
You can get relief from migraines. Our expert covers the many options for treating and preventing these debilitating headaches.
Ask an Expert
Suzanne E. Pertsch, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Will taking progesterone help prevent a migraine?
Taking progesterone alone as a cream or tablet has not been scientifically established as an effective treatment for migraine headaches. Many women experience migraines with their menstrual cycles, especially w... continue reading about Will taking progesterone help prevent a migraine?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Yes. Your symptoms could well be associated with perimenopause. The World Health Organization has defined perimenopause as the time period 2 to 8 years prior to menopause as well as the year after cessation of ... continue reading about Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I've been having visual migraines where I get jagged vision, usually in my left eye, and progressing from the lower right edge to encompass my whole left visual field. Could this be the result of dehydration?
Dehydration is one of several triggers that can exacerbate migraine headaches, including migraine variants like the one you are experiencing. Maintaining good hydration should help reduce the frequency of these... continue reading about I've been having visual migraines where I get jagged vision, usually in my left eye, and progressing from the lower right edge to encompass my whole left visual field. Could this be the result of dehydration?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I'm a woman (45) who gets frequent migraines. I'm also about 40 pounds overweight. I read somewhere that being overweight might actually increase the number of migraines that I get. Is this true, and would losing weight help?
Research has shown a link between being overweight and migraines - headache frequency and severity are increased. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the link, including biological, behaviora... continue reading about I'm a woman (45) who gets frequent migraines. I'm also about 40 pounds overweight. I read somewhere that being overweight might actually increase the number of migraines that I get. Is this true, and would losing weight help?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Can Botox help reduce migraines?
Yes, Botox can help reduce migraines. The beneficial effect for migraine was first noted in patients who were treated with Botox for cosmetic purposes. This led to formal studies that demonstrated improvement i... continue reading about Can Botox help reduce migraines?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?
Some migraines can be associated with neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, tingling, vision and speech changes, and some strokes can be associated with headaches. Therefore, sometimes it is difficu... continue reading about Migraine and stroke symptoms seem to overlap. How do I know I'm just having a migraine and not a stroke?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
What is an ocular migraine, and how do I know if I'm having one?
There are two different conditions that are sometimes referred to as ocular migraines. The first consists of a migraine aura that results in visual symptoms, but the headache may not be present. This is due to ... continue reading about What is an ocular migraine, and how do I know if I'm having one?
Nobl Barazangi, M.D., Ph.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
I'm a frequent sufferer of migraines. Does this mean that I'm at a higher risk of stroke?
There is some evidence showing an increased risk of stroke associated with migraine with aura. Specifically, women who have migraines with auras are at an increased risk for stroke.Smoking, oral contraceptive u... continue reading about I'm a frequent sufferer of migraines. Does this mean that I'm at a higher risk of stroke?
Mark Saleh, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?
This question is frequently asked, and the answer is complicated. The effect of acupuncture on migraine and other chronic pain syndromes has been studied extensively. The data from these studies, unfortunately,... continue reading about I am a frequent migraine sufferer and I was told that acupuncture can actually help more than drugs to prevent attacks. Is this true?