Triggers

Most attacks come from several triggers stacking up rather than one cause. Light, smells, dehydration, sleep, medication overuse and stress can all add to the load.

These episodes help you spot the triggers you might be missing, read the early warning signs, and decide what is worth tracking.

Start here

Migraine Triggers You Might Be Missing and How to Spot Them

Triggers

Explore overlooked migraine triggers, from sleep and food to weather and sensory overload, and learn to spot patterns without unnecessary avoidance.

Listen22 min

10 Warning Signs a Migraine Attack Is Coming & What to Do Before It Hits

StressAnxiety…

What if your migraine doesn’t come out of nowhere but quietly whispers before it strikes? In this episode of **Migraine Heroes Podcast**, host **Diane Ducarme** helps you tune into the early signals your body sends before a migraine fully unfolds. By understanding these subtle cues, you can move from feeling caught off guard to feeling prepared, grounded, and in control. This episode blends neuroscience with practical, body-based awareness so you can respond earlier, not later. **You’ll discover:** 💡 How to spot the early warning signs of a migraine attack even the ones most people overlook 💡 What’s happening in your brain during the pre-migraine phase and why it can feel so unpredictable 💡 Simple, immediate steps you can take to ease the process and potentially reduce the intensity before it escalates This isn’t about fear or hypervigilance. It’s about learning your body’s language so you can act with clarity, not surprise. If you’ve ever felt like your migraine “just hits,” this episode will help you see the signs that were there all along and what you can do with them. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on [migraineheroes.com](http://migraineheroes.com) **References: ** - **Migraine Pathophysiology (Charles, 2018): **This review explains migraine as a complex nervous-system disorder rather than a simple vascular headache, covering genetic, anatomical, physiological, and pharmacological mechanisms. _Read more [here](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(17)30435-0/abstract)_**.** - **Premonitory Symptoms of Migraine (Kelman, 2004): **This study focuses on early warning symptoms that can appear before migraine pain, such as fatigue, mood change, food craving, and neck stiffness. _Read more [here](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/15447695)._ - **The Premonitory Phase of Migraine (Maniyar et al., 2014):** This paper shows that brain activation can be detected before the headache phase, especially in regions such as the hypothalamus and brainstem, supporting the idea that migraine starts before pain begins. _Read more [here](https://academic.oup.com/brain/article-abstract/137/1/232/363839)._ - **Biological Insights from the Premonitory Symptoms of Migraine (Karsan & Goadsby, 2018):** This review looks at what premonitory symptoms can reveal about migraine biology, including thirst, yawning, lethargy, and sensory sensitivity before headache onset._ Read more [here](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41582-018-0098-4)._ - **The Migraine Generator Revisited (Schulte & May, 2016):** This paper revisits the “migraine generator” idea and argues that hypothalamic changes may drive the migraine cycle through altered connectivity with the brainstem. _Read more [here](https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/139/7/1987/2464241)._ **Disclaimer**: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks. We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.

Listen14 min

5 Home Hazards You Might Be Missing That Can Trigger More Migraines

Triggers

What if your home, the place meant to feel safest, was quietly triggering your migraines? In this episode of **Migraine Heroes Podcast_,_** host **Diane Ducarme **uncovers how everyday elements in your environment may be overstimulating your nervous system without you realizing it. From subtle sensory stressors to hidden toxins, your home might be shaping your migraine pattern more than you think. You’ll discover: 💡 How to spot 5 overlooked environmental triggers in your home that may be increasing your migraine frequency 💡 Why your nervous system reacts so strongly to these triggers and how that sensitivity impacts your daily life 💡 Simple, immediate changes you can make to create a calmer, more migraine-friendly home environment This episode helps you shift from reacting to migraines… to gently redesigning the space your brain lives in every day. 🎧 New episodes every Monday and Wednesday 🔗 Discover our work on [migraineheroes.com](http://migraineheroes.com) **References: ** **Light and Headache Exacerbation (Noseda et al., 2010):** This paper identifies a neural pathway linking light exposure to worsening headache pain, explaining why photophobia is a key feature of migraine. _Read more [here](https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2475)._ **Weather and Headache (Prince et al., 2004):** This study looks at whether weather variables influence headache occurrence in people with migraine. _Read more [here](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/15186304)._ **Migraine Triggers (Kelman, 2007):** This paper identifies common precipitants of acute migraine attacks, including stress, weather changes, sleep disturbance, hunger, and hormonal factors._ Read more [here](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/17403039)._ **Electromagnetic Fields and Symptoms (Rubin, Das Munshi & Wessely, 2005):** This systematic review evaluates provocation studies on electromagnetic hypersensitivity, including commonly reported symptoms such as headaches. _Read more [here](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/15784787)._ **Weather, Air Pollution, and Migraine Onset (Li et al., 2019):** This study examines how ambient air pollution and weather factors influence migraine headache onset, showing that pollutants and environmental conditions can increase the likelihood of migraine attacks. _Read more [here](https://europepmc.org/article/MED/31446321)._ **Disclaimer**: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for providing medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. For women, men, and children who suffer from migraine disease, Migraine Heroes is your go-to resource for understanding, managing, and overcoming migraine attacks. We cover all types of migraines and related headaches, including primary and secondary migraines, chronic migraines, and cluster migraines. We dive deep into the complexities of migraine with aura and migraine without aura, as well as rarer forms like hemiplegic migraine, retinal migraine, and acephalgic migraine (silent migraine). Our discussions also extend to cervicogenic headaches, ice pick headaches, and pressure headaches, which often mimic migraine or contribute to overall migraine burden.

Listen12 min