Migraine Causes and Triggers
What's Happening in the Brain During a Migraine?
There are no definite answers to the causes of migraines. However, researchers are gaining an understanding of what happens during a migraine attack.
Current theory suggests that migraines originate within the brain itself. Pain and other symptoms appear to arise from an inflammatory process that occurs between the trigeminal nerve (the main nerve of sensation in the face) and blood vessels in the coverings of the brain.
Serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical in the brain, may be responsible for this inflammatory process. Pain signals are sent from the blood vessels along the trigeminal nerve into the brainstem. Here, pain processing centers can become sensitized or overloaded by incoming pain signals.
What Sets Off Migraine Attacks?
Sometimes you just don't know how a particular migraine attack got started. However, people frequently get a sense of what is likely to set off their migraines. There are many common triggers for people who get migraines, including:
Partial List of Common Foods that May Trigger Migraine
Any processed, fermented, pickled, or marinated foods
Baked foods
Chocolate
Dairy products
Food containing additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Foods containing tyramine, such as red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and certain beans
Fruits such as avocado, banana, or citrus
Meats containing nitrates such as bacon, hot dogs, salami, cured foods
Nuts including peanut butter
Onions
INDICATION
Migranal (dihydroergotamine mesylate, USP) Nasal Spray is used to treat an active migraine headache with or without aura. Do not use it to try to prevent a migraine if you have no symptoms, to treat a common tension headache, or to treat a migraine that is not typical of your usual migraine.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use Migranal Nasal Spray if you:
The use of Migranal® Nasal Spray should not exceed dosing guidelines and should not be used on a daily basis.
Serious cardiac (heart) events, including some that have been fatal, have occurred following use of injectable dihydroergotamine, the active ingredient in Migranal Nasal Spray, but are extremely rare.
The most commonly reported side effects in clinical studies with Migranal Nasal Spray were runny nose or congestion, altered sense of taste, application site reactions, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
You are encouraged to report adverse side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the accompanying full Prescribing Information, including Information for the Patient and boxed Warning.
