[Editor's Note: This article was originally published in October 2013 but has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.]

Women are roughly three times more likely than men to experience migraines, about 17% of women versus 6% of men in the U.S. The main driver is the interaction between the hormone estrogen and a pain-signaling protein called CGRP: when estrogen drops or fluctuates, CGRP activity rises and the brain's threshold for a migraine attack falls.

That's the short answer. The...

[Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2018 but has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.]

Getting enough sleep is important for most people, but for migraine sufferers the quality of sleep can affect them as much as the quantity. Without restful sleep we’re not at our best, and we have lower resistance to health conditions.

Migraines rarely come from a single trigger, and they almost never improve from a single change.

For most people, migraine frequency is influenced by daily patterns: sleep timing, hydration, stress load, eating habits, posture, and how consistently the nervous system is regulated. That’s why sustainable migraine relief often comes from small, repeatable habits practiced every day, not drastic overhauls or perfect routines.

Can yoga really help with migraines?

Yoga cannot cure migraines, but research suggests that gentle, regular yoga may help reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and migraine-related stress. By calming the nervous system, easing muscle tension, and improving stress resilience, yoga can be a supportive part of a comprehensive migraine management plan for some people.

Everyone has experienced a headache at some point, but distinguishing a common headache from a migraine can be challenging. While tension headaches and migraines may share some symptoms, they are distinct conditions with unique causes, characteristics, and treatment approaches. Understanding the differences between these headaches is essential to getting the relief you need and developing an effective prevention plan.

Can dehydration cause migraines?

Yes. Dehydration can shrink brain tissue, trigger pain pathways, and lower your pain threshold, making migraines more likely and more severe. Staying hydrated—about 2 liters of water daily—may help prevent attacks and reduce their intensity.

If you live in Houston, you know our heat and humidity can make it easy to break a sweat—and just as easy to get dehydrated. But for people living with migraines, dehydration isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be a major...

[Editor's Note: This post was originally published in November 2013 but has been updated.]

Whether you're jetting off on vacation or traveling for work, migraines have a way of showing up at the worst possible moments. Long flights, disrupted routines, new foods, and environmental changes can all set the stage for a migraine attack—especially when your defenses are down.

But with a bit of planning and the right tools in your travel kit, it is possible to enjoy your trip without fear of an...

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on a condition that affects more than a billion people worldwide. Despite its prevalence, migraines remain deeply misunderstood. Too often, they’re brushed off as “just a bad headache,” leading to stigma, misinformation, and missed opportunities for effective treatment.

Do Migraines Get Worse or Better With Age?

Migraines don’t stay the same throughout your life. In fact, they often shift in frequency, intensity, and even in the symptoms they cause. According to the Mayo Clinic, for many people, migraines peak during midlife and improve as they get older. Women, in particular, tend to see dramatic changes related to hormonal fluctuations during different life stages. Men may experience fewer changes, but migraines can still evolve in presentation over time.