A good night’s sleep can help alleviate headaches.
Migraine attacks impact millions annually, with around 37 million individuals in the United States, encompassing both adults and children, experiencing these debilitating headaches, as reported by the American Migraine Foundation. A recent study delved into potential migraine triggers, differentiating itself from prior research by requiring participants to daily track various metrics.
Key findings indicated that individuals perceiving a reduced quality of sleep the night before had a 22% increased likelihood of a migraine attack the following morning. Migraine symptoms vary, including severe one-sided head pain, nausea, and light sensitivity, lasting up to three days, according to the National Institutes of Health.
The study, involving 477 participants aged 7 to 84, explored emotional states, anxiety, mood, energy, and stress, reported in electronic diaries. Actigraphy monitors were used to measure actual sleep patterns, contrasting perceived sleep quality with recorded data. The results revealed a connection between perceived sleep quality and energy changes and an elevated risk of migraine attacks.
Participants with lower perceived sleep quality experienced a 22% increased chance of morning migraines. Interestingly, this did not impact afternoon or evening headache probabilities. Discrepancies were noted between perceived and actual sleep quality. Lower energy levels the previous day increased the likelihood of a morning attack by 16%. Conversely, elevated energy levels coupled with higher stress levels than normal resulted in a 17% increased chance of migraines the next day, either in the afternoon or evening.
Despite the study’s focus on emotional states, no significant link was found between mood issues like depression or anxiety levels and an increased risk of migraines. The findings offer insights into utilizing sleep and energy patterns to predict and potentially prevent migraines, providing individuals with a history of migraines the means to enhance self-awareness and condition management.
The study underscores the role of circadian rhythms in headaches, referring to the 24-hour cycle of wakefulness and sleep. Dr. Mark Burish, not involved in the research, highlights the connection between migraine, circadian rhythms, and melatonin, suggesting that aligning behaviors with individual circadian rhythms may aid in preventing headaches. Dr. Joey Gee emphasizes the importance of sleep hygiene for those experiencing migraines, encouraging the maintenance of adequate sleep schedules to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Overall, the study contributes to the understanding of how sleep factors into migraines and may inform better prevention strategies and treatments.
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