Hello doctor, What ingredients or products can trigger migraines, and why this is the case? Some common foods or ingredients I have heard of are alcohol, aged cheese, chocolate, nitrates, MSG, and artificial sweeteners. Is there any truth to these? Are there any substances in common household products (like cleaning products) that might trigger migraines?
Hello. Yes, it is true that all these types of food may trigger migraine headaches. It depends on individual properties because not all individuals are sensitive to these substances. The underlying mechanism is thought to be vessel constriction and dilation, which is part of the physiopathology of migraine headaches. Other substances contained in cleaning products or cooking can trigger migraine too, depending on individual sensitivity. Other triggering factors are bright lights, sunlight, cold weather, etc.