Stress

• Continuous stress can cause more then just your average tension headache--it can cause a migraine. Stress is brought on by busy lifestyles and the pressure to meet deadlines. Stress can also occur when you have financial worries or a personal crisis, such as a death in the family. The best way to eliminate stress-related migraines is to try and reduce the stress as much as possible. This may include seeing a therapist or scheduling fewer activities for awhile.
  
  

Certain Foods

• Certain chemicals in foods have been known to cause migraines. Chemicals such as monosodium glutanate and sulfites can be found in foods that are eaten daily, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, cheeses, wines, peas and Chinese food. The way to stop food-induced migraines is to avoid the trigger foods. Make a list of what you ate the day you got a migraine and note any patterns. Avoid eating those foods in the future.
  
  

Menstruation

• Migraines occur in women more often then in men. Menstruation has been linked to migranes in women. During the time a woman is menstruating, her hormones levels are going up and down. When the hormone levels are unstable, it can trigger migraines. There is no cure for this, but women can speak to their doctors about it and get a prescription for a migraine medication.
  
  

Too Much Alcohol

• Drinking too many alcoholic beverages can lead to a hangover the next morning. One of the symptoms of a hangover is a migraine. If you don't want to bring on a migraine, then you should not exceed your safe limit of alcohol.
  
  

Medications

• When your doctor prescribes a drug for you, the pharmacist hands you a printout with possible side effects. Many of them have migraines listed in the side effects category. A well known drug that can cause migraines is birth control pills. Also, any drug that dialates your blood vessels can cause migraines. If you think your prescriptions are causing your migraines, speak to your doctor. It may be possible for your doctor to find a substitute that doesn't cause migraines.