The exact cause of a migraine attack is complex, but specific triggers often play a role. Detecting your migraine triggers can help guide your treatment approach.

Migraine attacks are headaches that can feel like a throbbing or pounding pain in the head, often on only one side. Attacks can also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

People experiencing a migraine episode often can’t get out of bed, look at bright lights, hear loud noises, or even open their eyes.

In the United States, migraine attacks affect approximately 15% of the population. Migraine attacks are generally more common in women, affecting nearly 21% of women in a 3-month time frame compared to less than 10% of men.

There are many potential causes and triggers of a migraine attack. However, emotional stress, specific foods, alcohol consumption, menstrual cycle changes, dehydration, weather changes, and sleep disturbances are some of the most common causes.

Although detecting the exact cause of your migraine attack is not always possible, there may be specific factors that increase your risk of an attack. The following quiz may help determine what may be triggering your migraine episode.