Everyone has different allergies, ranging from mild to severe. The problem is, we don't always know what we are allergic to, so we continue to eat those food items and often do not associate them with the physical symptoms that express themselves as a result of eating the food. Migraine headaches can be triggered by different foods, and of course the food triggers will vary for different people. Food items commonly associated with migraine-triggering allergies include chocolate, strawberries, alcohol, aged cheeses, caffeine and aspartame. The best way to determine if migraine headaches are caused by food allergies is to keep a detailed food journal for a month. Write down everything you eat in the food journal, from drinks to snacks to full meals. Record the migraine headaches you have during the month as well: when they begin, when they end, and how severe they are. At the end of the month, review your food journal and look for common food items that were eaten in the two days preceding a migraine headache. If you see a common factor in the two days before every migraine you experienced, you have probably found the culprit. Test it out by eliminating that food completely from your diet for a month and continuing to keep a food journal. There may be more than one food that causes the same allergic reaction.

Unfortunately for women, changes in estrogen levels can result in mild to severe migraine headaches. Estrogen levels change during pregnancy and menopause, as well as fluctuating on a milder level during normal monthly cycles. Certain medications which affect the hormones, such as contraceptives, can also cause migraine headaches to develop. If you notice that your migraine headaches often occur at the same time of the month in relation to your menstrual cycle, they are probably instigated by the drop in estrogen during your period. If you have never had migraines before, but experience them after getting pregnant, beginning to take a hormonal drug, or entering menopause, your migraines are likely caused by the hormonal changes at work in those situations.

Stress, whether psychological or physical, can be the single cause of a migraine headache. If you are under pressure at work, in the middle of relationship problems at home, or simply experiencing life changes (new baby, a move, a new job, getting married, etc.), the stress that accompanies those situations can be the factor that causes migraine headaches. Physical stress also can cause migraines. Lack of sleep or a sudden change in your sleeping patterns might be enough to stress your body physically and cause a migraine headache. Skipping meals or eating meals that lack enough nutrients can also cause migraines, as can intense physical activity and/or lack of hydration.

Environmental factors, unfortunately, are often out of our control but can be what stimulates the migraine headaches we have to deal with. Strong sensory stimuli, such as very bright lights (including sun exposure) and strong smells (even pleasant ones), can cause migraines. Weather changes may also provoke migraine headaches. If you are traveling, going from one time zone to another or experiencing a change in altitude can be the factor that induces a migraine headache. Chemicals, whether in household cleaners or industrial and agricultural applications, can also trigger migraine headaches.