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Headaches: a real burden

People with migraines and tension-type headaches often feel their suffering isn’t taken seriously. Because their pain isn’t visible, it’s easy for others to dismiss it as minor or unimportant. However, the impact on their lives is significant.
Medical research attempts to make the effects of headaches more visible, by studying how headaches limit daily activities. The hope is that this will help others better understand the challenges faced by sufferers and lead to more empathy.

Living with migraines

According to a study by the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention organization (AMPP), half of all migraine sufferers experience noticeable impairment due to their condition, and one in five face severe challenges. More than half of those surveyed said they sometimes have to stay in bed during an attack. Another study found that people with migraines are twice as likely to miss work due to acute symptoms compared to those without migraines.

Headaches affect daily life and social interactions

Migraines don’t just affect education and work. A recent study found that almost 70% of migraine sufferers and over 55% of those with tension headaches were unable to fully perform their work, studies or household duties during an attack. Migraines were particularly disruptive, causing significant absences from work, university and school. They also led to canceled plans, avoiding social gatherings, and staying home. In other words, migraines made it hard to maintain social connections.

Less exercise: a harmful effect

An American study looked at the exercise habits of women with migraines. Many reduced their physical activity after diagnosis, fearing that (overly) strenuous exercise might trigger an attack. This is unfortunate because moderate exercise, like light cardio, can actually help reduce headaches. It’s important for migraine suffers to eat and drink enough before exercising, as good nutrition and hydration are crucial. However, they should avoid intense exercise, because heavy physical exertion can trigger attacks.

Stress and strain promote attacks

American neurologist Frederick G. Freitag studied how migraines affect quality of life. He also explored how the impact of migraines can create new triggers for attacks. His research found that since the 1990s, studies have shown that migraines cause emotional stress in patients. They also feel less energetic and less satisfied with life. Additionally, poor sleep quality is common, and it’s known that poor sleep can trigger new attacks.

Restful sleep is crucial

A 2005 study with over 2500 participants confirmed the link between poor sleep and migraines. Difficulty falling asleep and frequent waking at night led to fatigue and exhaustion the next day, reducing performance and sometimes causing anxiety. The link between well-being and sleep quality was clear, and in the worst cases, poor sleep could trigger migraines. (For more insights into sleep and headaches, read here and here.)

Tension headaches also affect daily life

Tension-type headaches significantly affect daily life and wellbeing, as shown by a Swedish study. The study also linked tension headaches to mental health issues like anxiety, stress, mood swings, and feeling constantly pressured. Unsurprisingly, compared to those without headaches, sufferers reported a much lower quality of life. This study provided further proof of the burden headaches place on people.

Prevention works

You’re not helpless against headaches. The good news is that you can become an expert in managing your own pain and take active steps to prevent it. Jacobson’s relaxation exercises have been effective in reducing tension and the risk of attacks. Our app offers a short version of these exercises that’s easy to use, even during the workday. The app covers other key factors in headache prevention, too. It can also be used to set reminders to help maintain good habits like regular eating, staying hydrated, and getting sufficient restful sleep. For migraines, it’s especially important to go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Taking enough breaks at work can also help prevent stress, which is a major trigger for headaches. By following these tips, you may be able to reduce your headache burden significantly.

  • References
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    • Brandes JL. Migraine and functional impairment. CNS Drugs. 2009 Dec;23(12):1039-45. doi: 10.2165/11530030-000000000-00000. PMID: 19958041.
    • Brandes JL. The migraine cycle: patient burden of migraine during and between migraine attacks. Headache. 2008 Mar;48(3):430-41. doi: 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.01004.x. Epub 2007 Dec 28. PMID: 18179565.
    • Farris SG, Thomas JG, Abrantes AM, Lipton RB, Burr EK, Godley FA, Roth JL, Pavlovic JM, Bond DS. Anxiety sensitivity and intentional avoidance of physical activity in women with probable migraine. Cephalalgia. 2019 Oct;39(11):1465-1469. doi: 10.1177/0333102419861712. Epub 2019 Jul 1. PMID: 31260336.
    • Freitag FG. The cycle of migraine: patients' quality of life during and between migraine attacks. Clin Ther. 2007 May;29(5):939-949. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.05.008. PMID: 17697913.
    • Guitera V, Muñoz P, Castillo J, Pascual J. Quality of life in chronic daily headache: a study in a general population. Neurology. 2002 Apr 9;58(7):1062-5. doi: 10.1212/wnl.58.7.1062. PMID: 11940693.
    • Hirata K, Sano H, Kondo H, Shibasaki Y, Koga N. Clinical characteristics, medication use, and impact of primary headache on daily activities: an observational study using linked online survey and medical claims data in Japan. BMC Neurol. 2023 Feb 21;23(1):80. doi: 10.1186/s12883-023-03122-9. PMID: 36809985; PMCID: PMC9942338.
    • Holroyd KA, Stensland M, Lipchik GL, Hill KR, O'Donnell FS, Cordingley G. Psychosocial correlates and impact of chronic tension-type headaches. Headache. 2000 Jan;40(1):3-16. doi: 10.1046/j.1526-4610.2000.00001.x. PMID: 10759896; PMCID: PMC2128255.
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    • Rollnik JD, Karst M, Piepenbrock S, Gehrke A, Dengler R, Fink M. Gender differences in coping with tension-type headaches. Eur Neurol. 2003;50(2):73-7. doi: 10.1159/000072502. PMID: 12944710.
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