Link between asthma and chronic migraines found

A new study suggest that asthma sufferers have nearly double the risk of experiencing chronic migraines. The research looked at over 4,500 patients who, at the beginning of the study in 2008, had less than 15 migraines a month. After a year the researchers checked to see how many people suffered from chronic migraines, which was categorized as over 15 migraines a month.

The group of participants with asthma (five percent) had a higher likelihood of developing chronic migraines. This was in comparison to the 2.5 percent of those without asthma who developed chronic migraines.

Lead author, Dr. Vincent Martin, said, “If you have asthma along with episodic or occasional migraine, then your headaches are more likely to evolve into a more disabling form known as chronic migraine.”

Although a link between asthma and chronic migraines was found, it did not reveal cause and effect. Yet, Dr. Martin stated that having asthma is a stronger predictor for chronic migraines than depression.

“Migraine and asthma are disorders that involve inflammation and activation of smooth muscle either in blood vessels or in the airways. Therefore, asthma-related inflammation may lead to migraine progression,” added co-author Dr. Richard Lipton.

Researchers suggest that preventative care could benefit individuals who suffer from occasional migraines and can reduce the risk of chronic migraines.

The study was published in Headache.

Also read: Asthma sufferers may have worsened migraines
Natural ways to treat chronic migraine headaches at home

Sources:
http://consumer.healthday.com/respiratory-and-allergy-information-2/asthma-news-47/asthmatics-may-be-more-likely-to-get-chronic-migraines-705652.html