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3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Odorant substances that trigger headaches in migraine patients
R P Silva-Néto1, M F P Peres, M M Valença
1Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|July 9, 2013
Summary
Certain odors, particularly perfumes, can trigger migraine attacks within minutes. This study identified common odor triggers in migraine patients, distinguishing them from tension-type headache sufferers.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Headache Medicine
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
- Identifying triggers is crucial for managing migraine attacks.
- Odor triggers are frequently reported but not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify specific odorants that trigger migraine attacks.
- To determine the latency period between odor exposure and headache onset.
- To differentiate odor triggers in migraine versus tension-type headache patients.
Main Methods:
- Interviewed 200 migraine and 200 tension-type headache patients.
- Assessed lifetime prevalence of odor-triggered headaches.
- Recorded time of onset of headache post-odor exposure.
- Diagnoses based on International Classification of Headache Disorders-II criteria.
Main Results:
- 70% of migraine patients reported odor-triggered headaches, with onset averaging 25.5 minutes.
- No tension-type headache patients reported odor triggers.
- Most frequent triggers included perfumes (75.7%), paints (42.1%), gasoline (28.6%), and bleach (27.1%).
- Significant associations found between perfume triggers and cleaning, cooking, beauty products, and foul odors.
Conclusions:
- Specific odorants, especially perfumes, can precipitate migraine attacks.
- Migraineurs experience rapid onset headaches after odor exposure.
- Odor triggers appear specific to migraine and not tension-type headaches.
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