Trigger Identification in Migraine: What the Diary Evidence Actually Supports
Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Corresponding Author: Mondal D, Doctus Journal of Neurosciences.
Abstract
Patients are routinely advised to identify and avoid migraine triggers, yet the evidence base for most named triggers is weaker than the advice implies. This mini review examines prospective diary studies and experimental provocation work covering diet, weather, sleep and stress. Only sleep disruption, alcohol and, in a subgroup, hormonal fluctuation are consistently supported by both designs. Several classical dietary triggers fail experimental provocation entirely, and premonitory-phase food craving offers a plausible explanation for the association patients report. Avoidance advice built on unsupported triggers narrows daily life without reducing attack frequency, and should be replaced by structured diary review.
Keywords
Migraine; Triggers; Headache Diary; Provocation Studies; Premonitory Phase; Patient Advice
How to Cite
Mondal D. “Trigger Identification in Migraine: What the Diary Evidence Actually Supports”. Doctus Journal of Neurosciences 1.1 (2026): 09-18.
Copyright and Licence
© 2026 Mondal D. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.