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Side Effects of Migraines

Migraines are a common condition that cause a myriad of side effects and symptoms in addition to the often excruciating pain they cause. MedlinePlus estimates that 11 in 100 people suffer from migraine headaches.

  1. Migraine Definition

    • According to medlineplus.com, a migraine is the result of abnormal brain activity, in which blood flow and chemistry are altered and that may be caused in part by food, stress, medications or other causes unknown to the sufferer.

    Pre-migraine Side Effects

    • Some sufferers reports seeing "auras" prior to the onset of a full-blown migraine. The aura is typically described as a a floating light in the peripheral vision. In some cases, the onset can be sudden or start out as a mild headache and quickly progress to a migraine.

    Effects on the Stomach

    • Patients suffering from a migraine often get severely nauseated and end up vomiting, in turn causing dehydration.

    Light Sensitivity

    • Migraine patients have also reported an increased sensitivity to light and prefer to be in a quiet, dark room to battle their pain.

    Trigger Identification

    • There are many possible migraine triggers. If a patient is getting migraines and not sure why, he is typically advised to keep a diary of foods he eats, activities, etc... with the hopes that a commonality between events and the migraine will be evident.

    Common Triggers

    • Possible triggers include alcohol, allergic reactions, bright lights, odors or perfumes, hormone fluctuations, sleep disturbances, loud noises, missed meals (low blood sugar), stress both physical and emotional, smoking or second-hand smoking.

      According to medlineplus.com, food triggers are a common cause of migraines, specifically chocolate, dairy products, foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), foods containing tyramine, which includes red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs and certain beans, fruits (avocado, banana, citrus fruit), and meats containing nitrates (bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured meats).

      Sometimes, it is a combination of food, for example, eating chocolate and cheese close together. Each migraine sufferer should identify her triggers and work to remove them from the diet or daily routine if possible. Migraine medication is also available both as a preventative measure and treatment.

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