Migraines can be defined as severe pain in one side or both sides of the head. The pain is sometimes described as a throbbing pain. Migraines can last to up to three days and they can cause the sufferer’s senses to become very sensitive. There are many different causes and triggers for migraines. Stress, caffeine, hormone changes, and use of certain medications, are just a few of the triggers that can aggravate and bring on a migraine.

The symptoms of migraines can take place in stages. In the prodrome stage, symptoms include increased thirst and neck stiffness. During the aura stage, the symptoms are mainly visual and include vision loss and hearing things. There are also a number of different odors that can trigger migraines, such as:

1. Cigarette smoke

Because migraine sufferers are sensitive to smell, just smelling cigarette smoke can aggravate and trigger a migraine. The carbon monoxide and nicotine in tobacco can also trigger a migraine by elevating the carbon monoxide levels in a smoker, as well as reducing the blood flow that flows to the brain by narrowing the blood vessels.

2. Food odors

Migraine sufferers have an increased sensitivity to certain smells. This is also known as osmophobia. Certain foods contain strong smells and unusual odors when cooked or when raw. If a migraine sufferer becomes exposed to these strong odors, it could trigger a migraine given their hypersensitivity to odors.

3. Candles or air fresheners

Many candles and air fresheners on the market are made up of artificial fragrances rather than natural scents. These artificial fragrances present usually give off a strong scent. These strong scents and odors could aggravate a migraine sufferer’s sense of smell, and trigger a migraine.

4. Perfumes

Perfumes are created to give off well liked scents and some of them contain intense odors. The intensity of many strong perfume scents come from the many chemicals that are present in them. Many products are perfumed including lotions, deodorants, and even a lot of cleaning detergents. If a migraine sufferer is exposed to the intense odors that these products give off, a migraine could occur.

5. Cleaning chemicals

Cleaning chemicals contain many chemicals and let off volatile organic compound gas. The chemicals in cleaning products contain strong odors and can create intense smells when trapped inside rooms. If in an enclosed space, the intense chemicals and toxins can take over the area and aggravate and trigger the hypersensitivity to smells in migraine sufferers.

These odors can cause migraine sufferers to trigger migraine pain. These odors should be avoided as well as many other triggers, such as stress. If you have any questions about your health or migraine symptoms then you should contact your doctor to discuss them, and ways that you can remain healthy and relieve your symptoms. Certain medications can help to relieve migraines and should also be discussed with your doctor.