Prevention
Food, hydration, and caffeine
Skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, and caffeine changes can affect migraine for some people, but broad restriction is rarely the first step.
Food and drink patterns can matter in migraine, but the goal is consistency and pattern recognition rather than fear of food.
Meals
Skipping meals is a commonly reported trigger. Regular meals or planned snacks may help people who notice attacks after long gaps without food.
Hydration
Hydration can support migraine management, especially during heat, exercise, illness, vomiting, travel, or alcohol use. Drinking water is not a cure-all, but dehydration can worsen how someone feels.
Caffeine
Caffeine is complicated. Too much caffeine can trigger attacks for some people, and sudden withdrawal can also trigger headache. If caffeine matters for you, aim for consistency and discuss a taper with a clinician if you plan to reduce it.
Food triggers
Some people identify specific food or alcohol triggers. Avoid removing large food groups based on one attack. Track repeated patterns and discuss major diet changes with a clinician or dietitian, especially for children, pregnancy, eating disorder history, or medical diets.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic: Migraine symptoms and causes
- NHS: Migraine
- American Migraine Foundation: Common myths about migraine
Migraine Manager is a personal health journal, not a medical device. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. Always follow your clinician's advice for diagnosis, medication, and treatment decisions.
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