Introduction
Migraine is a common brain issue occurring to many of them nowadays. There are many things that can trigger it, like changes in hormones, poor lifestyle, not sleeping well, not eating well, being dehydrated, and stress. Yes, too much stress can cause a bad headache. And it’s not just a regular headache! It's a migraine that can make you feel dizzy, sick, and super tired, too. But how does stress do that? Care to find out?
What Are Stress Migraines?
A migraine is like a bad headache that just wants to stay on one side of your head. But wait, it's not just a headache; it can come with other troubles, too! Like extra sensitivity to light, feeling sick, throwing up, etc. And guess what? When you are very stressed, which is a migraine trigger, it can release special chemicals called cortisol and adrenaline. These tiny chemicals can mess up your brain's chemical balance and cause migraine attacks. This is called stress migraine. Did you know that stress and migraines are like close friends? Wherever they go, they go hand in hand. Stress can worsen migraines, and migraines can cause even more stress!
If someone has stress migraines, these may be the symptoms:
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The pain on one side is pulsating or throbbing.
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Being nauseous.
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Fainting.
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Bright lights or strong smells may annoy you.
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You may not be able to see appropriately.
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Difficulty in focusing.
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Neck pain.
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Some people may even get warning signs called aura, like seeing flashing lights or patterns.
While stress migraine and regular migraine might feel the same, they usually have different reasons to show up. A migraine occurs when you're feeling way too stressed. On the other hand, regular migraines may be caused by changes in sleep, diet, and environment.
What Is the Role of Cortisol in Stress and Migraines?
When you are too stressed, your body switches on the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis. HPA is a neuroendocrine system containing three parts: the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands. These three work together to handle stress. Now, when there is too much stress, the HPA axis gets out of control and releases too much cortisol into your body!
Wait! What is this fancy word, cortisol? Cortisol is like your body’s chemical messenger and helps with many things, such as handling stress, maintaining your sleep schedule, maintaining immune function, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar. This special hormone is produced in the adrenal glands, which are present in your kidneys.
These high cortisol levels can cause brain inflammation, changes in blood vessels (making them contract and expand rapidly), and increased sensitivity to pain. All this leads to a migraine attack!
The Science Behind Stress Migraines
Stress not only increases cortisol levels but can also increase levels of a special neuropeptide called pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-38 (PACAP38). What a big word!
Now, when this PACAP38 teams up with a special mast cell receptor called MrgprB2, it can release inflammatory chemicals. What happens next? These chemicals make your brain and spine more sensitive, causing headaches.
Why is it important to know this? Scientists say that stopping PACAP38 from connecting with MrgprB2 might help prevent stress migraines!
Why Do Some People Get Stress Migraines?
Some people may be just more prone to stress-induced migraines because of:
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Genetics: Migraines run in the family. So, if your parents have it, you might also get it!
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Hormonal Fluctuation: This happens mostly to women during their periods and pregnancy time.
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Brain Sensitivity: In some people, the brain may react too much to even a small amount of stress, triggering migraine.
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Poor Lifestyle: A poor lifestyle, such as not eating good food or lack of exercising, can also cause migraines.
Managing Stress-Induced Migraine
Here’s how you can manage it:
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Meditating, doing slow yoga, dancing, and doing what you like.
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Sleeping on time can also reduce stress.
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Joining therapy classes that involve cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback can teach your brain to handle stress better.
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Eat well and avoid foods that can trigger migraines.
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Do not let your body get dehydrated.
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers or those that are prescribed by your doctor.
Future Research and Treatment Options
Remember PACAP38? A chemical that helps cause migraines? Well, scientists have found a new medicine that can block the PACAP38 pathway and stop stress migraines before they start! These medicines are called PACAP38 inhibitors.
There are many options for managing migraines. However, the same treatment may not work for everyone. So, it’s better to go to a doctor who can create a management plan just for you, which can work wonders. When going to a doctor, be open and tell about your triggers and every detail about your headache (when it happens, how long it stays, and when it stops). This way, managing can become easy.
Conclusion
Too much stress is not good at all. It can give you bad headaches and even make you more likely to get other sicknesses! The best way to fight it is to stay calm and relaxed! Like deep breathing, having fun, and not overthinking. Sometimes, special medicines given by doctors can also help!
Key Takeaway From iCliniq
Migraines, which cause one-sided headaches along with other symptoms, can be a stressful condition. Stress can worsen migraines, and when you have migraines, it can make you feel stressed. So, try managing your stress and incorporating healthy habits into your life to manage these stress migraines. If you feel any difficulty, you can always seek help from iCliniq doctors to manage it better.
