When it comes to chronic migraines, it’s easy to feel like they just come out of nowhere or that they’re only triggered by stress. But sometimes, the root causes of your migraines run deeper than you might realize. Some underlying health issues could be contributing to your chronic migraines (and your stress) in ways you may not have considered. Let’s look at these.
1. Poor Digestion Leading to Nutrient Deficiencies
If your digestion isn’t functioning properly, your body might not be absorbing the nutrients it needs to keep things running smoothly. Key nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, and others are critical for managing pain and stress—and without them, your migraines could get worse.
My client Nancy, remarked that she never understood why at the start of the program, I was so fixated on her poor digestion- when she came to me because of her migraines. After working together and seeing a decrease in not only her migraines but her irregular stomach issues (that she had come to accept as normal) she finally understood how it was all related.
Also, certain food intolerances can temporarily be irritation your digestive issues. This means that some of your favorite foods may be worsening your digestion. This is a deeper topic, so I’ve written more about it here.
When using a comprehensive nutritional plan, and mineral testing, I can see if you have any deficiencies that could be contributing to your migraines. I also use KBMO food sensitivities testing when appropriate. With this data, I can create a personalized plan that targets your deficiencies or intolerances without overwhelming you with unnecessary changes.
What This Looks Like for You: You won’t have to guess anymore about what you’re missing or what’s causing your migraines. I’ll simplify the process and help you restore balance to your nutrition without adding to your stress. This means less trial and error, less confusion, and better migraine control.
2. Blood Sugar Imbalances Keeping Your Stress and Inflammation High
Blood sugar fluctuations can trigger a cascade of stress in the body, leading to inflammation and migraines. If your blood sugar is all over the place, your stress levels will skyrocket, and your migraines could become more frequent and intense.
This is probably one of my favorite topics. I have many posts about this you should check out if you think this could apply to you.
Related: How to know if you’re a stressed out sugar burner
Stabilizing blood sugar levels is needed for nearly every client I come in contact to. By adjusting meals to include the right mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, we can keep your blood sugar steady so that your stress levels don’t spike and contribute to more migraine attacks.
Related: How to build a balanced meal
What This Looks Like for You: We’ll simplify your nutrition with meal plans that are easy to follow and easy on your body. This means no more constant ups and downs with your blood sugar—just stable energy and fewer migraine triggers.
3. Low Thyroid Function Making It Hard to Produce Energy
An underactive thyroid can be a hidden culprit behind chronic migraines. When your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, it slows down your metabolism, leaving you fatigued, stressed, and prone to headaches.
In mineral testing and a detailed analysis of thyroid health, we are able to pinpoint any deficiencies or imbalances that might be affecting thyroid function. Then, we work through simple, sustainable changes to support your thyroid and help you feel more energized and create energy appropriately.
What This Looks Like for You: When we target the underlying causes of fatigue and thyroid issues we get more consistent energy, less stress, and fewer migraines. No complicated diets—just a simple, focused plan that works for your body.
4. Poor sleep makes you more sensitive to outside stimuli
Poor sleep can significantly increase migraine frequency, creating a frustrating cycle that’s hard to break. When you’re not getting enough restorative sleep, your body struggles to regulate stress hormones like cortisol, which can trigger or worsen migraines.
Sleep deprivation also affects how your brain processes pain, lowering your threshold and making you more susceptible to migraine attacks. Additionally, disrupted sleep impacts your body’s ability to repair and maintain healthy blood vessels and reduce inflammation—two key factors in migraine prevention. Over time, inconsistent or insufficient sleep can leave you feeling more stressed, fatigued, and prone to debilitating headaches. Prioritizing better sleep hygiene is essential for breaking the migraine-sleep connection and finding relief.
Related: Chronic stress + poor sleep cycle: How to fix it
I LOVE working with sleep issues. my client Judy said that she now gets the best sleep she’s ever gotten in 40 years- and she gets it consistently!
What this looks like for you: Working on restoring sleep patterns and routines are not complicated or expensive. They only require consistency. But sleep issues are different from person to person. That’s where I can listen and gauge what exactly you would need to move the needle to get consistent restorative sleep…and less migraines!
Related: How to improve sleep quality
How This All Ties Together for You
In a recent post (Your migraine survival kit) I talked about how different home remedies can provide relief. But we understand that they’re often short-term solutions. To truly tackle chronic migraines, we need to address the underlying health issues. What I listed are not the only causes of migraines of course. I’m just suggesting things you may have not considered. When you know the triggers, you can help you manage your migraines more effectively and permanently.
By choosing to work with a personal nutritional therapist, you’ll have the support and guidance you need to make lasting changes without overwhelming yourself. I’ll help you simplify the process and we’ll create a customized nutrition plan based on real data—no more guessing or trial and error.
If you’re ready to take control of your migraines and stop the cycle of pain and frustration, let’s work together to find a solution that fits your life. With my help, you can address the underlying issues and build a plan that’s as simple as it is effective—leading to fewer migraines, more energy, and a greater sense of balance.
Ready to get started? Book a consultation today and let’s begin the process of healing.
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My husband is constantly getting migraines. I am sending this to him!
Hope it helps him!