The Link Between Dehydration and Headaches
Not getting enough fluids can trigger a headache, but it’s not always easy to tell if dehydration is the root of the problem or if it’s just exacerbating something else.
Why Am I Suddenly Getting Migraines?
There’s nothing quite like a migraine to throw a wrench in your day. And if you’re new to this specific type of severe head pain, you’re probably wondering what suddenly caused you to develop migraine headaches.
Dr. Halina Snowball can help you find out. As a headache specialist, she offers both diagnosis and treatment here at Integrated Pain Solutions in Stamford, Connecticut. Dr. Snowball can help you find out what’s causing your sudden migraines and, perhaps more importantly, what brings you relief from that head pain.
With treatment options from relaxation techniques to Botox®, Dr. Snowball helps to soothe migraine headaches. This starts with figuring out what’s causing your migraine in the first place. Quite a few factors could be at play, but here are a few common triggers for sudden migraines.
Changes in medication
Certain medications can make headaches worse. Some of the most common medications that trigger migraines include birth control pills and nitrates (also called nitroglycerin).
If you recently started taking the pill and getting migraines, you can explore other contraceptive options. An intrauterine device (IUD), for example, provides the same level of pregnancy prevention without the side effect of headaches.
If you’re taking nitrates to improve blood flow to your heart, don’t stop the medication because you get migraines. Talk with your doctor and give it time. Many people only get migraines as their bodies adjust to the medication. Your migraines may go away with time.
Stress
Medical experts agree: Stress is one of the main migraine triggers. If you’ve been feeling tension at home or at work, it can trigger and worsen migraine headaches.
Managing stress can feel daunting, especially on your own. But Dr. Snowball can help. With options like yoga, relaxation techniques, and massage therapy, she can equip you with an arsenal to lower your stress levels.
Hormonal changes (for women)
Hormonal shifts in women — like the ones experienced around your menstrual cycle and menopause — can cause sudden migraines. In fact, many women get migraines during pregnancy or menopause because their hormone levels change so quickly.
Fortunately, these headaches also ease as hormone levels return to normal. If you suddenly started getting migraines during menopause or pregnancy, for example, they may go away once you have your baby or get through menopause.
What you eat and drink
Caffeine, aspartame, alcohol (especially wine), and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are all known migraine triggers. Similarly, processed foods and aged meats and cheeses cause migraine headaches in some people.
If you just started getting migraines, evaluate your diet for any changes. If you can identify a food or drink that causes your headaches, eliminating it gives you an easy way to avoid future migraines.
Finding relief from your migraines
Ultimately, these are just a few of the reasons you might be suddenly getting migraines. For more help identifying the cause, don’t hesitate to visit Dr. Snowball.
Here at our office, she can not only help you trace the root of your headaches but also find effective treatment for them. With lifestyle changes, medications, injection-based treatment, and other options at your disposal, you can move forward into a life with fewer migraines.
For personalized migraine care, call our office at 203-293-0549 or request an appointment online today.
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