How to Identify Your Migraine Triggers
Stop guessing. Start tracking.
Published March 30, 2026
Common migraine triggers
The most frequently identified triggers include:
- Poor or irregular sleep
- Dehydration
- Caffeine withdrawal or excess
- Stress and post-stress letdown
- Skipped meals
- Weather changes
- Bright lights or screens
- Certain foods (aged cheese, alcohol, processed meat)
How to identify YOUR triggers
Everyone has a different trigger profile. The only way to find yours is to track headaches alongside potential triggers for 6 to 8 weeks. Log every headache with severity and timing. Log sleep, food, water, stress, and caffeine daily. Look for correlations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have multiple triggers?
Yes. Most people have 2 to 4 primary triggers that interact. Poor sleep plus caffeine withdrawal is a common combination.
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