What’s Really Triggering Your Severe Headaches?

To limit migraine frequency, physicians urge patients to identify potential triggers. Unfortunately, new research suggests that this strategy may not be as sound as once thought.

Are Triggers to Blame?

While they aren’t exactly sure why people get migraines, medical experts have long believed that specific triggers can help bring them on. More often than not, triggers vary from person to person. For some, eating chocolate might result in migraine occurrence; for others, intense exercise could prove catalytic.

To evaluate the role of triggers in migraine occurrence, a group of scientists exposed 27 participants to an assortment of triggers in an attempt to provoke headaches. In the end, however, they were surprised to find that only 11 percent actually experienced a migraine attack.

Why the Low Response?

While this study seems to suggest that triggers don’t necessarily play such a big role in promoting migraine occurrence; researchers aren’t so sure. According to them, to prompt a migraine, triggers may require certain pre-existing physical states, such as depression, anxiety and hormonal imbalances. Whatever the case, this study clearly demonstrates just how difficult it can be for migraine sufferers to identify and avoid potential triggers.

Adding to the Confusion

In some cases, people are unable to identify their headache triggers, because they aren’t really having migraines at all. Certain physical disorders, such as TMD, have the power to bring on severe, debilitating headaches that seem like migraines. In this case, an effective treatment can eliminate the chronic headaches by correcting the source of the problem.

Eliminating TMD Headaches

If you experience jaw popping, jaw pain, tinnitus or facial tenderness in addition to severe headaches, you may have temporomandibular joint disorder. After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Strickland and Dr. Durham can give you an accurate diagnosis. If they determine that TMD is causing your problem, they can provide a targeted treatment plan that will eliminate each and every one of your symptoms. To learn more, contact their office today.

By |June 20th, 2013|Uncategorized|

Our Locations

Beyond Exceptional Dentistry
1317 Abercorn St.
Savannah, GA 31401

(912) 234-8282 Email Us

Beyond Exceptional Dentistry
29 Plantation Park Drive Suite 301
Bluffton, SC 29910

(843) 706-2999 Email Us