Although migraines are the most common type of headache, doctors do not fully understand what changes in the brain that cause this neurological disorder to occur. However, what is known is that there are certain triggers that can prompt a painful migraine, and these differ from patient to patient. Common migraine triggers are wide-ranging and may include a reaction to bright lights, weather changes, food smells, strong scented candles, and perfumes.

Migraines caused by odors, make life even more stressful since smells and odors are everywhere. Osmophilia is the official name for an increased sensitivity to smell, which is well known to migraine sufferers. Below are a few smells and odors that are known to trigger migraine headaches:

1. Food smells
The smell of food cannot be avoided; they are nearly everywhere. Yet, for a migraine sufferer, some food smells trigger migraines. Studies have discussed how smells like fried food, fatty food, onions, and other foods that contain glutamate can trigger migraines.

2. Cleaning products
It is unknown if there is a certain chemical in cleaning products that cause migraines, but cleaning products seem to be a big trigger. If you are a migraine sufferer and can avoid heavy-duty cleaning products, give yourself that gift. Look for natural cleaning products (Meyers comes to mind) or make your own using natural oils, lemons, baking soda, etc.

3. Cigarette smoke
Regardless of whether you smoke or smell secondhand smoke, if you are a migraine sufferer, cigarette smoke can be harmful to your health. Nicotine, a chemical in cigarettes, causes blood vessels to get smaller. That can trigger a migraine. If you are subject to chronic migraines, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

4. Alcohol
Everybody has heard of a hangover, but what is widely unknown is that alcohol triggers roughly one-third of all migraine headaches. Certain ingredients in alcohol appear to trigger migraines more than others, however, it is known that even smelling red wine, brandy, and whiskey often cause migraines.

5. Perfume
The joy of spritzing on perfume is dulled out if you get migraines due to perfume smells. Perfume causes migraines because particles of perfume disturb blood going to the brain. Like smoking, if you are prone to migraines, avoid perfume or being around those wearing it.

For the most part, odors are unavoidable. However, knowing which odors tend to trigger a migraine headache can save lots of headaches, literally.