Scientists and doctors are working hard to find a cause and a subsequent cure for many diseases that affect millions worldwide. Finding the cause is crucial so that they can treat the cause rather than the symptoms. Migraine is one of the diseases with no established cause yet. Doctors believe that abnormal brain activity affects the blood vessels, chemicals, and nerve signals, leading to severe headaches. They attribute many factors like food, environment, and lifestyle as triggers for a migraine.

Among the environmental triggers, here are the top five triggers you should avoid if you are affected by constant migraines.

1. Pollution
Air pollution is among one of the top environmental migraine triggers. There are many pollutants in the air. Lead, sulfur, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter can impact migraines’ frequency and intensity. Particulate matters may activate the sympathetic nervous system leading to migraines.

2. Barometric pressure
We can observe barometric pressure changes before a rain or a storm. Weather can cause changes in serotonin, one of the chemicals in the brain. Serotonin dilates the blood vessels and triggers a migraine. Humidity can trigger migraines in warm climates. Barometric pressure causes dilation of blood vessels leading to increased release of serotonin, leading to migraine with aura. Once the serotonin level reduces, the blood vessels begin to expand, causing a migraine onset. Sudden changes in barometric pressure can also lead to migraines.

3. Weather
Apart from barometric pressure, many other weather-related factors can trigger a headache. Weather can indirectly cause a migraine or cause changes in the body, leading to migraines. Extreme heat can lead to excessive sweating, dehydration, and a resulting migraine. Storms, rain, humidity also cause changes in the body leading to a migraine attack. Studies show that people living in high wind areas get a headache couple of days before high winds. When the weather turns cold, barometric pressure drops, putting pressure on the sinus, causing migraines.

4. Mold
The toxins in molds are called mycotoxins. They can become airborne in a mold-infested building. When you inhale mold-infested in the air, it can harm your eyes, respiratory system and also lead to a migraine. Exposure to black mold is one of the environmental migraine triggers. Mold exposure can lead to sinus problems. Mold can also trigger oxidative stress and set in motion inflammation in the body.

5. Sunlight
Many affected by migraines say that they can feel the onset of a migraine within 10 minutes of being in bright sunlight. They could be sensitive to light. At the same time, some can get a headache after spending some hours in the sunlight, like after a day on the beach or hiking. Doctors believe that blue light has one of the strongest wavelengths from the sun’s spectrum of lights. This can trigger a migraine in those who are at risk for frequent migraine attacks.