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Allergies & Migraine
By Kerrie | September 6, 2006
People with nasal allergies may have a greater incidence of migraine, according to a recent study. The study, which had 294 participants, found that 34% of people with hay fever (aka allergic rhinitis) had migraine symptoms; only 4% of participants without hay fever had such symptoms.
But don’t jump to conclusions!
This study doesn’t prove that migraines are caused by allergies. Instead it’s that people who have migraine might have the condition triggered by hay fever. These folks already have headache disorders, but the allergies may be what triggers them to come out of the woodwork. (This is how all triggers work — they don’t cause migraine, but put an already present condition into action.)
These findings also do not contradict research that says that 90% of what patients and doctors classify as sinus headache is actually migraine. That’s not necessarily true. The results may in fact reinforce the previous studies. People with allergies may be more likely to have migraine-like symptoms than those without. That doesn’t mean that those in the 34% were suffering from sinus headaches. They could be having migraines that are triggered by the allergies.
Debates about allergies and headaches are likely to go on forever. In addition to the research that I’ve read, my obvious bias is also influenced by anecdotal “evidence.” I spent a long time treating allergies and visiting allergists to treat my headaches. After two allergists in one practice said I didn’t have allergies, I found another one who did. I did this before I was diagnosed with migraine, but, migraine or not, allergy treatments didn’t help. Many people tell me similar stories. Again, stories aren’t enough to make something medical fact, but they may help you not waste precious time in treating your headaches.
Tanks, Pam for bringing this important article to my attention!
Topics: Biology, News, Treatment |
September 6th, 2006 at 10:06 am
“This study doesn’t prove that migraines are caused by allergies.”
I think this point is worth re-stating.
I can’t even count how many times people have said, “Are your migraines CAUSED by allergies?” My simple reply is: “No, but they may TRIGGER a migraine.”
Allergies or not, I still get migraines. That, to me, indicates that it’s not the allergies CAUSING the migraine.
Make sense?
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Thanks for reiterating that point. I hate to see people people waste precious time in getting an appropriate treatment. If I ran the headache world, I’d tell everyone to skip the allergist, chiropractor, ENT and get to a neurologist if their GP couldn’t help their headaches. Not that these other specialists may not be helpful, but starting with a good diagnosis will get you a lot further than searching blindly for relief.
Alas, I only run my own headache world.
K
September 7th, 2006 at 12:27 am
I think the point about migraine vs sinus headache is an interesting one also. While sinus headache has certainly been overdiagnosed in the migraine population, it does and can coexist with migraine. If you think you have both, get evaluated by an expert–don’t just take over-the-counter sinus medication, as this can cause reboud headaches.
And while treating allergies will not get rid of migraines, controlling allergies will reduce migraine frequency if your allergies serve as a migraine trigger.
Great topic!
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Great points. It’s hard to not apply my own experience to everyone else!
K
September 21st, 2006 at 5:36 am
Wow, how did I miss all these posts? I’m so glad to hear from you again! I just thought this was an interesting article - I wasn’t expecting such a huge post out of it - but it’s such a sticky topic!
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Once you get me started it’s hard to make me stop!
Thanks again for the article. It raised great points.
K
September 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I have daily headaches, my GP thinks it is sinus issues triggered by allergies. Im at my wits end, with daily headaches for over a month. Can allergies affect a person every day for a month in the same exact way?