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Crying as a precipitating factor for migraine and tension-type headache
Yara Dadalti Fragoso1, Regina Carvalho, Fernanda Ferrero
1Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, 555-Apto. 91 Santos/SP, Brasil-CEP 11030-601. yara@bsnet.com.br
Summary
Crying is a significant trigger for migraine and tension-type headaches in over half of individuals studied. This factor, while not fully understood, warrants further investigation in headache research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
Background:
- Crying is an under-reported factor in headache literature.
- It appears to be a common trigger for migraine and tension-type headaches in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of crying as a precipitating factor for migraine and tension-type headaches.
Main Methods:
- Prospective evaluation of 163 university students and workers experiencing monthly headaches.
- Interviews and questionnaires assessed headache triggers, including crying.
Main Results:
- Over half (55.2%) of participants identified crying as a headache trigger.
- Crying was a trigger for both migraine (62 individuals) and tension-type headache (28 individuals).
- Stress, anxiety, and menstrual periods were reported as equal or stronger triggers than crying.
Conclusions:
- Crying's physiological basis in headache causation is not well understood.
- Crying appears to be a significant precipitating factor for primary headaches.
- Further research into crying as a headache trigger is recommended, with an invitation for collaborative studies.