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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : March 28, 2014 12:37 PM IST
Allowing stress to build up is so dangerous that even relaxation following heightened stress can act as a trigger for migraine attacks, a new research indicates. 'This study demonstrates a striking association between reduction in perceived stress and the occurrence of migraine headaches,' said Richard B Lipton, director, Montefiore Headache Center in New York. To examine what triggers headaches, the researchers conducted a three-month electronic daily diary study which captured 2,011 diary records and 110 eligible migraine attacks in 17 participants. (Read: 13 foods that can give you a headache)
The study compared levels of stress and reduction in stress as predictors of headache. 'Results were strongest during the first six hours where decline in stress was associated with a nearly five-fold increased risk of migraine onset,' Lipton added. The hormone cortisol, which rises during times of stress and reduces pain, may contribute to the triggering of headache during periods of relaxation. 'This study highlights the importance of stress management and healthy lifestyle habits for people who live with migraine,' said Dawn C Buse, director of behavioural medicine at Montefiore Headache Center. (Read: Botox: The miracle migraine cure?)
People should attempt to relax during periods of stress rather than allowing a major build up to occur, Buse added. This could include exercising or attending a yoga class or may be as simple as taking a walk or focusing on one's breath for a few minutes, said the study that appeared in the journal Neurology. (Read: Cefaly a new device to stop a migraine in its tracks)
What is a migraine?
Migraine is a condition which refers to severe headache that is commonly associated with signs like blind spots, nausea and/or vomiting. Migraine headaches are extremely painful and can last for hours or sometimes even for days together. Migraine headaches are often caused by certain genetic as well as environmental factors. These factors cause blood vessels in the brain to constrict and trigger headache. Triggers of migraine headache can vary among people with migraine. Certain chemicals in foods may trigger migraine headache in some people while in other factors like stress, loud noise, bright lights and poor sleep or sleep disorders can trigger migraine headache. In most migraine sufferers the pain is usually confined to half part of the brain and is pulsating or throbbing. It may worsen with physical activity like climbing the stairs or brisk walking. There is no cure for migraine but the symptoms can be controlled with medicines or pain killers and by eliminating factors that trigger migraine. Migraine can be prevented to a great extent by exercising and alternative therapies likeacupuncture. In this section you'll find detailed information on complications of migraine, how migraine causes depression, the impact of migraine on brain function and much more. (Read: Migraine: Facts you should know)
With inputs from IANS
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