Migraine frequency and intensity are increasing among Americans: Is climate change to blame?
Although the number of Americans who suffer from migraines has remained stable over the past 30 years, recent research shows that they can affect people's daily activities, such as missing social events and being less productive at school or work. The impact is much worse.
The report, published in the journal Headache in early May, analyzed 11 studies on both episodic and chronic migraine in U.S. adults from 1989 to 2018. Researchers found that the prevalence of migraine has remained stable over the past 30 years, but the Migraine Disability Rating Scale, which measures how migraines affect a person's daily life, has declined. They found that the score has jumped from 22.0% to 42.4% since 2004.
The “disability” score reflects the severity of the migraine.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, an estimated 39 million adults in the United States suffer from migraines.
“While the female burden initially increased significantly and then stabilized, the proportion of male burden continues to increase,” said lead author Fred Cohen, assistant professor of medicine and neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. the doctor said. New York told NBC News.
“Additionally, our research shows that the average frequency of monthly headaches has increased over the past 20 years.”
Dr. Timothy A. Collins, chief of the Headache Division in the Department of Neurology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, says migraines can make you less productive at school or work and less likely to participate in social or leisure activities. He said that performance has also declined. My migraines come more frequently and get stronger, which makes me do less housework. Collins was not involved in the study.
Mount Sinai researchers believe that the observed increase in migraine frequency and negative impact on work and home productivity may be due to increased societal awareness of migraines and the stigma surrounding the debilitating condition. It is pointed out that this may be due to a decrease in the number of
Climate change can lead to more unstable and harsh weather conditions, which are known to trigger migraines, Cohen said.
“Extreme weather events like hurricanes are becoming more frequent and intense, which may be contributing to an increase in migraine attacks and their severity,” he said.
Recommendation
Collins added that while there is some evidence that thunderstorms and barometric pressure can cause headaches, it's unclear whether “regular” air pollution, such as bad air from wildfires, can trigger migraines. Ta.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these changes in weather can disrupt the balance of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin, which can lead to migraines. Weather-related factors include bright sunlight, extreme heat or cold, sun glare, and high humidity.
British researchers warned on Wednesday that extreme weather and fluctuations in heat could worsen neurological diseases such as stroke, dementia and schizophrenia. Climate change may also play a role in the “severity, duration, and frequency” of migraines, according to a paper published Wednesday in Lancet Neurology.
“Deteriorating climate conditions (e.g., rising temperatures, extreme weather patterns, and increased pollution) are likely to cause two kinds of effects: increased attack frequency in people who already suffer from migraines, and increased migraine headaches overall. “This is a sharp increase in the number of cases,” the scientists said. A graduate of University College London, he writes:
Monitoring weather changes using tools like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HeatRisk tool or your local National Weather Service forecast station can help migraine sufferers who are sensitive to extreme weather.
Dr. Mark Blish, director of the Will Irwin Headache Research Center at UT Health Houston, said the study highlights a “concerning trend,” but it remains unclear why migraine disorders are worsening. He said there is.
“Many factors may be contributing to these findings,” said Dr. Rochelle Frank, clinical professor of neurology at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.
More research is needed, she says.
How to avoid migraines
Migraine treatment may be based on the patient's medical history, other prescribed medications and personal preferences, Blish said.
Cohen said one of the main risk factors for increased severity and frequency of migraine attacks is inadequate treatment.
“As-needed” treatments range from over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen to prescription drugs and wearable devices, Blish said.
“For patients who have frequent headaches or whose headaches are a significant burden despite receiving 'as needed' treatment, we add preventive treatment,” Blish said.
This could include over-the-counter supplements, prescription drugs, self-administered injections, wearable devices, intravenous fluids, and procedures performed by health care professionals, he said.
Collins added that taking preventive medications can reduce the number of headache days each month by more than 50%.
Not all treatments require medication. Many people may not understand how everyday situations such as dehydration, lack of sleep, skipping meals, and emotional stress can cause symptoms.
Dietary changes such as avoiding caffeinated drinks, chocolate, and alcohol that can trigger migraines, improving sleep hygiene, and taking vitamin and mineral supplements can also have a big impact on your headache health. Cohen said.
Dr. Shiv Sudhakar
