Which pair of lifestyle factors is commonly recommended to avoid in migraine management?

• A. Dehydration and sleep disturbance.
• B. Adequate hydration and regular sleep.
• C. Caffeine withdrawal and increased stress.
• D. Regular exercise and hydration.

Answer: (A)

The idea here is that migraine is often triggered by modifiable lifestyle factors, and two of the most consistently reported triggers are not drinking enough water and irregular or disturbed sleep. Dehydration can lower blood volume and affect cerebral perfusion and vascular tone, making a migraine more likely. Sleep disturbance disrupts circadian rhythms and increases brain excitability, lowering the threshold for a migraine attack. Together, they commonly precipitate attacks, so avoiding these factors—staying well hydrated and keeping a regular sleep schedule—is a straightforward, effective part of migraine management.

The other options include factors that are either generally protective (adequate hydration and regular sleep; regular exercise and hydration) or that only trigger migraines in some people (caffeine withdrawal, increased stress). But the pair most widely recommended to avoid for reducing attack risk is dehydration and sleep disturbance.