Find Out How Stress Can Be Causing Migraines

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Our life is full of stress. The morning traffic, the boss, the accounts payable … Anyway, even breathing has become something stressful. That anxiety in our body has to come out somewhere. It can be in the form of panic attack, irritable bowel syndrome and chest pain … or headaches. Imagine you have an important meeting, but you are stuck in the middle of huge traffic. You start to feel palpitations, sweating … your blood pressure increases and the muscles of the neck tighten. Stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol increase, which disrupts the blood vessels in the brain. These two physiological effects can cause migraines and what is known as tension headaches.

MIGRAINS

They are characterized by pain of a pulsating nature only on one side of the head. They are associated with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and, in some cases, weakness in some limb. Some experience constipation, mood swings, excessive thirst, and frequent yawning a day or two before the episode. In addition to stress, food, drinks, smells and visual stimuli can cause a migraine. Aside from prescription medications, studies have shown that vitamin B2, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium may help prevent migraines.

HEADACHES FROM TENSION

When stress causes tension in the muscles of the neck and skull, this type of pain may appear. It can occur on the back of the head, forehead or temple. Unlike migraines, it tends to be bilateral. It may be accompanied by difficulty sleeping, muscle fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. In addition to medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, muscle relaxants can be effective in treating it. Obviously, it would be best to prevent it by managing stress.

This column appeared in the September 2017 issue of People en Español