Besides being my birthday month, June is a lot of other things, too:

National Dairy Month (which you’ll see a new post and recipe about that coming soon, too!)

the official start of summer (yay!)

and National Migraine Awareness Month

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Last year, I first told you guys about the new app that helps you track your migraines and figure out possible triggers so you can keep them under better control – or at least avoid the things that make them worse.

After months of using it, I have to say…I kinda love it!

The app is extremely easy to use, it asks questions that keep you thinking about possible triggers each day, and it puts everything into little charts and tracks everything for you so you don’t have to worry about forgetting something.

Plus, it also gives you the option to email your information directly to your doctor or print it out to take with you to appointments, which is the best idea ever.

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No matter if your migraines hit every week or every other month – or if you’re lucky enough to not have migraines at all – they can be incredibly painful and debilitating. And with all the advances in medicine, it still seems crazy that migraines are so tough to control. Since migraines behave in so many different ways for different people, it’s difficult to diagnose and to figure out triggers, as well.. Some people may have environmental triggers (bright lights, scents, and noise) while others may be more sensitive to chemical triggers (foods,drinks, or ingredients).

While fatigue and stress can trigger headaches in some people, migraines also have additional unique triggers:

  • Diet: Certain chemicals in food and beverages can cause migraines. Eating more fresh and fewer processed foods can also help rid your body of toxins or chemicals that could be causing your headaches.
  • Hydration: Dehydration can lead to migraines.  Drinking plenty of water can help prevent this, and also helps rid your body of chemicals and toxins.
  • Weather changes: Changes in weather or barometric pressure can trigger migraines.
  • Menstrual cycle:  Women with a history of migraines often report headaches immediately before or during their periods, when they have a drop in estrogen.

Because there are many kinds of migraine triggers, and these triggers vary from person to person, tracking them is key for helping to manage migraines.

I’ve actually made some big changes in my diet lately and I’ve been feeling so much better – I haven’t had a migraine since I started using the app and changing how I’m eating, and it’s been great! I’m sure there will be other triggers that I run into at some point or another, but for now, I feel really good and am excited about keeping that feeling going.

To help you celebrate National Migraine Awareness Month, I’ve got another giveaway! And this one is perfect for traveling, which is great for summer!

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  • Aero Snooze: Three-piece set includes TSA-compliant carrying pouch with soft nylon eye mask and foam earplugs to help travelers drift off to sleep.
  • Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow: This u-shaped travel pillow is made of memory foam to provide support that correctly aligns your neck and spine, while supporting your head in sumptuously soft comfort.
  • Tritan From Eastman Water Bottle with Straw: This 25 oz. bottle is made of durable Tritan material, BPA free and meets FDA requirements. This bottle is impact and shatter resistant and does not retain odor and/or taste.

To enter:

– Leave a comment on this post with your migraine triggers – what do you have to avoid?

For more entries:

– Tweet about the giveaway with @branappetit and @excedrin in the message and let me know you did

– Follow me on Twitter (@branappetit)and let me know you did

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I am a paid Excedrin ® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, three giveaways were provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

12 comments

  1. I usually have to avoid coffee since it tends to trigger the migraines.

  2. It seems like everything is a trigger for me…stress, hormones, weather, nitrates, sulfites, MSG is the biggest culprit, caffeine. The list goes on!

  3. I avoid artificial sweeteners – especially diet soda.

  4. Lack of sleep and dehydration cause my headaches

  5. I have to avoid wine, bright lights, loud noises, and caffeine.

  6. Probably bright light is the biggest trigger.

  7. I began having headaches after a closed head injury from a car accident in 2010. They are so debilitating at times and knowing my specific triggers would be helpful. I know in some circumstances when to expect them but other times the migraine comes out of no where! Thanks for the giveaway entry.

  8. This sounds like a wonderful app for migraine sufferers. I personally have never had a bad headache or a migraine. ;o) I did hear that avoiding soda is good helpful.

  9. My worst triggers are light and sound. Smells come next in line.

  10. My period is always a big migrainer trigger for me and sometimes if a really big storm is coming through that might also cause them. They are awful!

  11. Usually food allergies, stress and strong perfume

  12. Lack of coffee usually leaves with at the least a small headache

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