Ever wished you could foresee when your next migraine would strike? Well, a recent study suggests that it might be possible. Published in the Journal of Neurology and reported by CNN, the research highlights two factors that can help predict an impending migraine: alterations in sleep quality and energy levels.
Dr. Kathleen Merikangas, the principal investigator of the study, emphasized, "The major finding from this study was that changes in sleep quality and energy on the prior day were related to an incident headache the next day."
Chronic migraines, identified as the primary cause of disability in individuals under 50 according to a February 2018 study, have prompted further investigation.
The recent research tracked the behaviors and symptoms of 477 participants over a two-week period, revealing that the quality of sleep and energy levels on the preceding day were crucial indicators of an upcoming migraine.
Individuals experiencing poor sleep quality and low energy levels were more likely to suffer from migraines the following morning, as per the data. Conversely, an increase in energy and higher-than-average stress often signaled an impending migraine later in the day.
These findings hold potential significance for migraine prevention and treatment. Dr. Merikangas explained, "If we can identify things in the environment that people can change, then we'd be able to prevent the attack in the first place, and then they may be able to prevent it by either going to sleep to offset it or some other intervention that would prevent us from having to use medication to prevent the attack."
Recognizing the typical signs of an approaching migraine—such as sensitivity to light, fatigue, neck pain, sensitivity to noise, and dizziness—could offer individuals valuable insights for proactive management.
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