Holiday Migraine Triggers and How to Avoid Them

Holidays can be stressful and for those who suffer migraines excesses can make matters worse.

Listed below are just a few of the things that can trigger migraines.
Read the whole article for more.

Pine scents

What to try: Avoid it! Seasonal scents including pine and cinnamon are a big headache trigger for some, making common spaces (offices, churches) a challenge.

Caffeine

What to try: Moderation. A little coffee, tea, or cocoa can actually help headaches, but too much can trigger them, New York City neurologist Dr. Audrey Halpern, says.
“I find that when I drink less coffee, my sinuses are a lot happier,” says blogger Lauren Levine. “I think this is because caffeine dries everything out. I find that my headaches are less frequent when I’m drinking green tea and water instead of tons of coffee (which is how I normally operate). It’s difficult but definitely worth it.”

Holiday foods

What to try: Some foods are known to trigger headaches for many people—and others (especially those rich in magnesium) seem to help prevent them.
Try to avoid red wine, beer, MSG, chocolate, aged cheese, sauerkraut, and processed meats like pepperoni, ham, and salami. Eat more spinach, tofu, oat bran, barley, fish oil, olive oil, white beans, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

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