Migraines seem to remain a mystery to modern day science, even though it is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world. Perhaps this lack of research is due to the fact that the majority of the sufferers are women. This elusive disease is one that I suffer from chronically. It's taken a huge toll on my life, and I don't even suffer as badly as others. There was a time when I would get migraines daily. This could have been due to various factors, and many that were out of my control.
As of now, I get them a couple of times a week, and they always last for 48+ hours with varying degrees of intensity. They prevent me from living my life "normally," as defined by non-sufferers. Migraines are my normal, and I have to live my life accordingly. As with most chronic illnesses, migraines can be triggered by (basically) anything. Each person is different. There are common triggers like chocolate, stress, and hormones (thanks, body).
However, there are also many triggers that go unlisted and you have to figure out for yourself, until now!
1. Those five sprays of perfume
Please, for the love of my sanity, STOP with the perfume. You can't smell your own perfume, so you always overapply. It's like I'm being kicked in the face with your artificial scents. Some perfumes/colognes don't bother me, but most of them do. Please refrain from applying them in public places, or in unventilated areas. You're just a walking migraine trigger.
2. Just trying to get some shut-eye
That's right, folks. An irregular sleep schedule can trigger a migraine. So, I don't even get to enjoy sleeping late on the weekends. I still do it, though.
3. That Easter ham
Processed, sodium-packed foods may welcome us with a migraine. Does it prevent me from chowing down on bacon every now and again? No, but there are certain foods that will no-doubt give me a migraine. It's not even worth gambling sometimes.
4. The best concert of your life
I haven't been to too many concerts, and one reason why is because they, without fail, trigger a migraine. The emphatic noise mixed with flashing, bright lights is just a recipe for a crazy-bad morning-after.
5. The slightest hint of dehydration
For the sake of my health and keeping migraines at bay, I have to keep a bottle of water with me at all times. I feel so uncomfortable going out without having water with me. I've become reliant on my hydration, which I suppose is a good thing.
6. Any form of physical strain
That exercise people like to brag about? It may help with other conditions, but not migraines. I remember getting headaches after gym class. This one is especially suffering. You might want to go to the gym, but alas — headache.
7. The light! It burns!
Those grossly fluorescent lights in buildings? Nope. The sun? The worst trigger for me. I don't judge people who wear sunglasses inside because they might be at risk for a migraine from the lights.
8. Overusing medications
You finally found a medication that treats your migraines? Great! Don't use it too much, though, because guess what? MORE MIGRAINES.
9. Emotional distress
This may be linked to the hormone factor, but I give myself headaches from crying. If that headache isn't treated right away, it will turn into a migraine. Fun stuff.
10. Literally just a rain cloud
Rain? Migraine. Snow? Migraine. Summer? Migraine. We can't win.
