7 Tips to Manage Light and Sound Triggers for Migraines

7 Tips to Manage Light and Sound Triggers for Migraines, for people who suffer from migraines, light and sound can be significant triggers that can cause or exacerbate symptoms. I truly hate to say it but there’s so much unknown on the migraine subject, the exact reasons why these stimuli can trigger migraines are not fully understood

Why Light and Sound are migraine triggers?

Unknown for now but there are several theories:

• Sensory processing: migraineurs may have a heightened sensitivity to light and sound due to differences in how their brains process sensory information.
• Neurotransmitter imbalances: Migraines are thought to be caused by changes in brain chemistry, specifically imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Changes in these neurotransmitters can make the brain more sensitive to light and sound.
• Nerve hyperexcitability: People who experience migraines may have nerves that are more easily excited than those who don’t, which can make them more sensitive to external stimuli such as light and sound.
• Cortical spreading depression: Cortical spreading depression is a phenomenon that is thought to be involved in the development of migraines. It is a wave of electrical activity that moves across the surface of the brain, disrupting normal brain function and causing symptoms such as visual disturbances and sensitivity to light and sound.

7 Tips to manage Light and Sound Triggers

Here are some tips on how to manage light and sound triggers for migraine sufferers:

1. Wear sunglasses or a hat to reduce exposure to bright light. When outside, wear polarized sunglasses that block out UV light and reduce glare. Indoors, consider wearing a hat or visor to block out overhead light.
2. Use curtains or blinds to control the amount of light in your environment. Consider installing blackout curtains in your bedroom or living space to block out light during the day.
3. Avoid fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lighting can be a trigger for some people, so consider replacing these bulbs with LED bulbs or incandescent bulbs.
4. Use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to reduce exposure to loud sounds.
5. Take breaks from screens. Computer screens and mobile devices emit blue light. Consider taking breaks from screens every 20 minutes to rest your eyes and reduce exposure to blue light.
6. Consider using filters or apps to reduce blue light exposure. There are screen filters and apps available that can reduce blue light exposure from screens.
7. Keep a headache diary to identify triggers. Keeping a diary of when you experience migraines and what you were doing at the time can help you identify specific triggers.

By following these tips, individuals with migraines can manage light and sound triggers and reduce the frequency and severity of their symptoms.