Migraines, or headaches, are characterized by recurring headaches and are considered one of the most common nervous system conditions. “Bars” on the forehead, pain in the eyes, tension in the neck, migraines, depending on their violence and their frequency, can become very disabling for those who suffer from them. Already in the past, migraines have been linked to emotional disturbances. Researchers from the Taiwan National Defense Medical Center have focused on anxiety and depression. Their results appeared in the Journal of Head and Face Pain.
The study involved 588 patients regularly suffering from headache. These have been classified by attack frequency and according to various variables. Scientists investigated whether the frequency of migraines (1-4 per month, 5-8 per month, 9-14 per month, or more than 14 per month) was associated with more pronounced symptoms of depression or anxiety. Their sleep was also measured during the duration of the experiment.
Migraine, sleep, depression: everything is linked
Patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression more often suffered from headache. The study also found that those who didn’t sleep well were likely to get headaches more frequently. There is therefore a link between the frequency of migraines, the severity of anxiety and depression and lack of sleep.
However, no real explanation has been provided. However, the researchers noted that factors such as emotional distress and the frequency of headaches can influence each other through a common pathophysiological mechanism. For example, strong emotional responses would have the potential to modify pain perception and modulate it through certain neurological signaling pathways. “These results potentially suggest that a processing medicine aimed at reducing the frequency of headaches may also decrease the risk of depression and anxiety in migraine patients, ”the authors conclude.
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