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Dr. Timothy Doyle, Overlea Personal Physicians

Mercy Internist Dr. Timothy Doyle Discusses How To Avoid Holiday Headaches On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

Holiday stress can often bring on migraines for those who suffer from them, but there are ways to get through that time migraine-free.

According to Mercy internist Dr. Timothy Doyle of Overlea Personal Physicians, the holidays can be difficult.

"I really think the holidays provide the perfect storm for migraines -- traveling, sleeping in beds you're not comfortable with, your schedules are off. Stress levels are up," he said.

There are also triggers when it comes to the holiday buffet.

"The aged cheeses and processed meats, like sausage. The alcohol and the caffeine," Dr. Doyle added.

Dr. Doyle suggested people try to stay on schedule because sleep deprivation can be a trigger, and don't skip meals because hunger can be a trigger. He said to try to manage the stress of family gatherings and money issues.

"I think moderation is the key. It's important to understand you can have a glass of wine or you can have a piece of cheese, but moderate consumption is key," he said.

The current thinking about migraines is that it isn't always one trigger that sets off a migraine -- it can be two triggers happening at the same time. To view Dr. Doyle’s interview on WBAL-TV11, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/29824529/detail.html