When Stress Becomes A Pain In The ... Head

Are your headaches are often triggered by stress? You're not alone. A recent survey of nearly 500 patients suffering from migraines revealed that stress was the number one factor that set off their migraine episodes.

How does stress cause headaches? One important clue lies in your body's natural response to stress. Your adrenal glands release the hormones cortisol and DHEA to help your body deal with stress. Cortisol primes your body for the "flight-or-fight response" it uses to combat stress, while DHEA works to strengthen your immune system. A healthy balance between these two hormones helps to ensure that your body has enough energy to adapt to the stressful situation, yet doesn't wear itself down in the process.

Cortisol imbalances are also closely tied to imbalances of the important brain neurotransmitter, serotonin, which has a calming effect on the mind. Drugs or treatments associated with serotonin mechanisms have been found to increase headache symptoms when they stimulate too much cortisol release. A decrease in headache symptoms is observed in instances where they lower cortisol and raise levels of DHEA.

Studies show that migraines can be triggered when your body's cortisol levels get thrown off balance. In fact, research has revealed a strong relationship between the body's cortisol response and the severity and duration of headaches. Your body produces cortisol in a natural cycle, releasing more in the morning and during the day to keep you active, while lower nighttime levels allow you to relax and sleep. People who suffer from cluster headaches (headaches that come in a periodic cycle) often have a disrupted or delayed rhythm of cortisol. Investigators believe that this may partly explain the rhythmic nature of their headaches.

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References:

1. Arango O, Bielsa O, Pascual-Calvet J, Herrero M, Gelabert-mas A. Disapp Gordon ML, Lipton RB, Brown SL, Nakraseive C, Russel M, Pollack SZ, et al. Headache and cortisol responses to m-chlorophenylpiperazine are highly correlated. Cephalagia 1993;13(6):400-5.
2. Elwan O, Abdella M, el Bayad AB, Hamdy S. Hormonal changes in headache patients. J Neurol Sci 1991;106(1):75-81.
3. Gordon ML, Lipton RB, Brown SL, van Praag HM. The neuroendocrine challenge paradigm in headache research. Cephalagia 1995;15(4):292-6.
4. Leone M, Bussone G. A review of hormonal findings in cluster headache. Evidence for hypothalamic involvement. Cephalagia 1993;13(5):309-17.
5. Leone M, Lucini V, D'Amico D, Maschiano F, Maletempo C, Fraschini F, Bussone G. Twenty-four-hour melatonin and cortisol plasma levels in relation to timing of cluster headache. Cehpalagia 1995;15(3):224-9.
6. Liss S, Liss B. Physiological and therapeutic effects of high frequency electrical pulses. Integr Physiol Behav Sci 1996;31(2):88-95.
7. Robbins L. Precipitating factors in migraine: a retrospective review of 494 patients. Headache 1994;34(4):214-6.
8. Strittmatter M, Hamann GF, Grauer M, Fischer C, Blaes F, Hoffman KH, et al. Altered activity of the sympathetic nervous system and changes in the balance of hypophyseal, pituitary and adrenal hormones in patients with cluster headaches. Neuroreport 1996;7(7):1229-34.

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