Migraine and Chronic Irritable Bowel Syndrome Studies confirm genetic similarities

Migraines, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome may be related through our genetics
When people are constantly suffering from headaches or migraines, their quality of life is badly affected. Anyone who has ever had a severe headache knows how uncomfortable such a condition is. Often it is not possible to do even the slightest daily tasks. Researchers have long been looking for the reasons that trigger migraines and severe headaches. Now the doctors found a gene that could be related to the diseases.

Unbearable headaches and migraines can make people's lives hell. It is not possible with such diseases to follow a normal daily routine. Researchers have now tried to find out what the causes of such diseases are in an investigation. The physicians of "Istanbul University" found that there could be a connection between headache and the so-called irritable bowel syndrome. We discovered a gene that favors both diseases, the research team said in a press release published by the American Academy of Neurology.

There is a genetic link between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. (Picture: Antonioguillem / fotolia.com)

Genetics favors headache, irritable bowel syndrome and tension-type headache
Since headache and irritable bowel syndrome share similar common conditions and the causes of both disorders are unknown, the potential association found is quite encouraging. Our genetics could favor these diseases, study author Dr. Derya Uluduz from "Istanbul University". The latest results open up new treatment options that could help with both disorders. The new study included 107 people with migraine, 53 subjects with tension-type headache, 107 subjects with irritable bowel syndrome, and 53 people without any of the disabilities, explain the physicians. People with migraine had about twice as many irritable bowel syndrome (54 percent) compared to subjects with tension-type headache (28 percent). Of the people with irritable bowel syndrome, 38 subjects also had migraine headaches and 24 people also had tension-type headaches, the experts explain.

Affected persons are distinguished by at least one gene from healthy people
The researchers said they focused on their own research on genetics, especially the serotonin transporter gene and the serotonin receptor 2A gene. The authors of the study found that individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, migraine or tension-type headache had at least one gene that differs from the genes of people who do not have any of these disorders. Further studies are needed to explore this potential link, Dr. Uluduz. The discovery of common genes could open new future treatment strategies for these chronic diseases.

Irritable bowel syndrome is the world's most common chronic gastrointestinal disease
Irritable bowel syndrome causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation and is the world's most common chronic gastrointestinal disorder, according to the researchers. In America alone, about 45 million people are affected by the disease. The exact cause of the chronic disease is not yet known and in many people the disease has not even been diagnosed, explains the expert. (As)