Migraine Risk Factors
Various conditions, habits, exposures, and other factors can increase one's risk of developing migraine. While many of these factors are out of our control, we can work to adapt and modify certain behaviors to reduce our chances of getting migraine.
Biological
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Hormonal imbalances/change
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Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, etc.
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Estrogen dysregulation
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Cortisol dysregulation
Demographic
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Advancing age
-
Female sex
-
Lower level of education
-
Lower socioeconomic status
Metabolic
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Obesity
-
Dyslipidemia
-
Diet
-
Chemicals/preservatives
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Caffeine
-
Diabetes
-
Hypertension
-
Low blood sugar
Genetic & Epigenetic
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MTDH gene
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MEF2D gene
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PRDM16 gene
Psychological
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Anxiety
-
Emotional stress
-
Phobias
-
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Bipolar disorder
-
Depression
-
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Environmental
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Sudden changes in weather or environment
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Strong odors or fumes
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Loud or sudden noises
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Bright or flashing lights
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Altitude change
Conditional
Other
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Smoking, alcohol, and other substance abuse
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Cardiovascular disease
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Neurological disorders
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Epilepsy
-
Movement disorder
-
Autoimmune diseases
-
Gastrointestinal diseases
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Sleep disorders
-
Overexertion
-
Motion sickness
-
Skipped meals
-
Head trauma
-
Hangover
-
Daily use of pain meds
-
Hormonal imbalances/change
-
Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, etc.
-
Estrogen dysregulation
-
Cortisol dysregulation
Biological
Biological
Metabolic
-
Obesity
-
Dyslipidemia
-
Diet
-
Chemicals/preservatives
-
Caffeine
-
Diabetes
-
Hypertension
-
Low blood sugar
Demographic
-
Advancing age
-
Female gender
-
Lower level of education
-
Lower socioeconomic status
Genetic & Epigenetic
-
MTDH gene
-
MEF2D gene
-
PRDM16 gene
Environmental
-
Sudden changes in weather or environment
-
Strong odors or fumes
-
Loud or sudden noises
-
Bright or flashing lights
-
Altitude change
Conditional
-
Sleep disorders
-
Overexertion
-
Motion sickness
-
Skipped meals
-
Head trauma
-
Hangover
-
Daily use of pain meds
Other
-
Smoking, alcohol, and other substance abuse
-
Cardiovascular disease
-
Neurological disorders
-
Epilepsy
-
Movement disorder
-
Autoimmune diseases
-
Gastrointestinal diseases
Psychological
-
Anxiety
-
Emotional stress
-
Phobias
-
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
-
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Depression
-
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)