They can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Some people have them weekly, others have fewer than one a year. Causes At the onset of a migraine, the blood vessels in your head first shrink, then swell, causing pain. The headaches may also be brought on by many common foods and beverages, including lunch meat, hot dogs, alcohol, beans, coffee or tea, cheese, chocolate, nuts, pickles, raisins, and canned soup. Artificial sweeteners can trigger a migraine.
Many women get the headaches before or during their monthly period.
You may know you are going to have a migraine before the headache starts. Warning signs include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise, light, or smells. Classic migraines begin with warning signs such as flashing lights or colors. You may feel as though you are looking through a tunnel. One side of your body may feel prickly, hot, or weak.