Researchers surveyed 515 people with migraines to see how much they knew about what causes their headaches and whether doctors were helping them manage these triggers. The study found that less than half of migraine sufferers felt they understood their triggers well, even though stress and sleep problems are common culprits. While most doctors talked to patients about lifestyle changes like better sleep and stress relief, only about 28% of patients actually put these strategies into practice. The research suggests that doctors and patients need to work together better to identify personal migraine triggers and create practical plans to reduce headaches without relying only on medications.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people with migraines knew what triggered their headaches, what their doctors told them about managing migraines, and whether they actually used the strategies their doctors recommended.
  • Who participated: 515 people diagnosed with migraines took an online survey. The average age was 31 years old. The study included people from various backgrounds who all experienced regular migraines.
  • Key finding: Only 43% of migraine sufferers felt they had good knowledge about their triggers. While 63% said their doctor discussed lifestyle changes, only 28% actually used these strategies to manage their migraines. Stress was the most recognized trigger (93% knew about it), but only 18% kept a diary to track their personal triggers.
  • What it means for you: If you have migraines, you might benefit from having a deeper conversation with your doctor about what specifically triggers your headaches and creating a personalized plan. Keeping track of your migraines and what happens before them could help you identify patterns and reduce how often you get headaches.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time by asking people questions about their migraine experiences. Participants completed an online survey that asked about their knowledge of migraine triggers, what their doctors had told them about managing migraines, and what strategies they were actually using to prevent or manage their headaches.

The survey covered common migraine triggers like stress, sleep problems, and certain foods. It also asked whether doctors had discussed lifestyle changes and which specific recommendations were made, such as improving sleep schedules, managing stress, or changing diet. Participants reported which strategies they were actually following in their daily lives.

This approach allowed researchers to understand the gap between what doctors recommend and what patients actually do, as well as how aware patients are of their personal migraine triggers.

Understanding what patients know about their migraines and whether they’re following their doctor’s advice is important because migraines affect millions of people and can significantly impact quality of life. If doctors and patients aren’t communicating effectively about triggers and prevention strategies, people may rely too heavily on medications when lifestyle changes could help. This study helps identify where the communication breaks down so improvements can be made.

This study has some strengths and limitations to consider. The strength is that it surveyed a reasonably large group of 515 people with confirmed migraine diagnoses. However, because it was an online survey, it may have included people who were more interested in managing their migraines or had better access to the internet. The study captured people’s memories of what their doctors said, which might not be completely accurate. The study was conducted at one point in time, so it shows what was happening then but not how things change over time.

What the Results Show

The research revealed a significant gap between what doctors recommend and what patients actually do. While 63% of patients reported that their doctors had discussed lifestyle changes to help with migraines, only 28% said they were actively managing their migraine triggers. This suggests that knowing about strategies and actually using them are two very different things.

When it came to specific recommendations, doctors most often discussed sleep improvements (78% of patients), followed by stress management (69%), and dietary changes (60%). However, when asked what strategies patients were actually using, the numbers dropped significantly: 54% followed a consistent sleep schedule, 50% used stress management techniques, and only 34% followed a specific diet to help with migraines.

The study also found that awareness of triggers varied widely. Stress was the most recognized trigger, with 93% of patients aware of it. Sleep-related issues were the second most recognized. However, only 40% of patients knew about food triggers, and most importantly, only 18% kept a detailed diary to track their personal triggers. This low tracking rate is concerning because identifying your own specific triggers is key to preventing migraines.

An important finding was that less than half of all migraine sufferers (43%) felt they had sufficient knowledge about what triggered their migraines. This suggests that even when doctors provide information, patients may not feel confident in their understanding. The research also showed that while stress and sleep are well-known triggers, patients may not understand how other factors like diet, hormones, or environmental changes affect their individual migraines. The low rate of migraine diary keeping (18%) is significant because tracking patterns is one of the most effective ways to identify personal triggers.

This research aligns with previous studies showing that lifestyle modifications are important for migraine management but that many patients struggle to implement them consistently. Earlier research has shown that migraines can often be reduced through trigger avoidance and lifestyle changes, yet many patients continue to rely primarily on medications. This study adds to that understanding by showing that the problem isn’t just that patients don’t know about these strategies—it’s that they’re not actually using them, even when doctors recommend them. The findings suggest that better communication and support from healthcare providers could help close this gap.

This study has several limitations to keep in mind. First, it relied on people’s memories of what their doctors told them, which might not be completely accurate. Second, because it was an online survey, it may have included more people who were actively seeking information about migraines or had better internet access, which could skew the results. Third, the study doesn’t explain why patients aren’t following through on recommendations—there could be many reasons like cost, difficulty, or not understanding how to implement the strategies. Finally, this was a snapshot at one point in time, so we don’t know if these patterns change over time or in different groups of people.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) If you have migraines, ask your doctor to help you identify your personal triggers—don’t assume yours are the same as everyone else’s. (2) Keep a migraine diary for at least 2-3 months, noting when you get headaches and what happened before them. (3) Work with your doctor to create a personalized plan that addresses your specific triggers, whether that’s sleep, stress, diet, or something else. (4) Start with one or two lifestyle changes rather than trying to change everything at once, as this is more likely to succeed. These recommendations have moderate confidence because they’re based on what doctors recommend and what research shows helps, but individual results vary.

This research is relevant for anyone who experiences regular migraines, their family members, and healthcare providers who treat migraine patients. If you have occasional headaches but not diagnosed migraines, this may be less directly applicable, though some strategies like stress management and good sleep could still help. People with other types of headaches should talk to their doctor about whether these strategies apply to them. Healthcare providers should use this information to improve how they educate patients about triggers and help them follow through on recommendations.

Realistic expectations for seeing benefits from lifestyle changes vary by person. Some people notice improvements in migraine frequency or severity within 2-4 weeks of making changes, while others may take 2-3 months to see a difference. Keeping a migraine diary for at least 2-3 months is important before you can identify patterns. Once you’ve identified your triggers and implemented strategies, you might expect to see a 20-50% reduction in migraines over several months, though some people see more improvement and others less. It’s important to be patient and work closely with your doctor to adjust your plan as needed.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Use the app to keep a daily migraine diary by logging: (1) whether you had a migraine that day and its severity (1-10 scale), (2) what you ate, (3) your sleep quality and hours slept, (4) your stress level, and (5) any other factors you think might matter (weather, hormones, caffeine intake). Track this for at least 8-12 weeks to identify patterns.
  • Set up app reminders to help you follow through on one lifestyle change at a time. For example: (1) Set a daily reminder to go to bed at the same time each night, (2) Use the app to log stress management activities like meditation or exercise, or (3) Track meals to identify food patterns. Start with whichever change feels most manageable for you.
  • Use the app to create a monthly report comparing your migraine frequency and severity to your lifestyle factors. Look for correlations—for example, do you get more migraines on days when you slept poorly or were very stressed? Share these reports with your doctor to refine your personal migraine management plan. Review your progress every 4-6 weeks and adjust your strategies based on what the data shows.

This research describes what migraine patients know about their triggers and whether they’re following their doctor’s advice. It does not provide medical diagnosis or treatment recommendations. If you experience migraines, consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice about your specific situation. Lifestyle modifications should complement, not replace, medical treatment prescribed by your doctor. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always discuss any changes to your migraine management plan with your healthcare provider before implementing them.