Chronic Stress Linked to Headaches

A recent study confirms stress as a leading cause for frequently occurring headaches.

 Researchers from the University Duisburg-Essen used data from German headache Consortium and identified chronic stress as a major contributor for headaches among adults. The study involved 5,159 people aged between 21 and 71 who were interviewed for a total of eight times in two years (between 2010 and 2012) about their stress levels and headache incidence. The participants were asked to rate their stress levels on a scale of zero to 100 and note the number of headaches they had in a month.

The results revealed 31 percent of the participants suffered from tension headaches - a common type of headache that occurs due to tight muscles in jaw, scalp and neck mostly triggered by stress and anxiety. Almost 14 percent had migraine headaches -throbbing pain in the head accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. Nearly, 11 percent had both tension and migraine headache while the rest 17 percent reported an unclassified type of headache.

The stress rating for those who suffered tension headaches was 52 out of 100, 62 for migraine sufferers and 59 for those who had migraine and tension-type headache. The researchers saw an increase in headaches of each type was associated to increased stress levels of participants in a month.  Lifestyle habits like drinking, smoking and the use of medications for headaches accounted for stress-induced headaches for the participants of different age groups and gender.

Sara H. Schramm, study author from the University Hospital of University of Duisburg-Essen said in the press release, "These results show that this is a problem for everyone who suffers from headaches and emphasize the importance of stress management approaches for people with migraine and those who treat them .It adds weight to the concept that stress can be a factor contributing to the onset of headache disorders, that it accelerates the progression to chronic headache, exacerbates headache episodes, and that the headache experience itself can serve as a stressor."

Headache is a major health issue and a reason for millions of Americans to miss work or consult a doctor (according to the reports of National Institute of Neurological disorders and Strokes). Researchers suggest people reduce stress by doing breathing exercises, meditation and muscle relaxation methods.

The study was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and will be presented at the 66th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, Philadelphia, to be held from April 26 to May 3.