Stress is a major cause of headache

Stress is the leading cause of headache

10/10/2013

Overload at work and in everyday family life - many people are under pressure every day, which often leads to headaches. According to a survey, especially women are affected. Every second person who suffers from a headache returns his or her suffering to stress. "Stress is the most common trigger of headaches," said the DAK health in Hamburg - especially in women. The health insurance fund has commissioned a representative Forsa survey of 1000 people over the age of 14.

But not only congestion in work or family life are responsible. At least 46 percent of those affected also weather changes play a role. Nearly one in ten respondents experience headaches at least once a week. Another nine percent of respondents suffer several times a month. By contrast, 32 percent said they never had a headache.

Almost one in five (19 percent) of patients with pain feels very strongly or severely impaired in their everyday performance, while another 32 percent report being moderately affected by the pain.

In the age group of 30 to 59-year-olds stress leads according to the data frequently to headaches. By contrast, the group of over-60s has only 37 percent.

Older persons rarely suffer from headaches
"In general, people over the age of sixty suffer less headache overall," it said. "53 percent of this age group is never in pain, compared to only 19 percent of those aged 14-44." For the box office, the younger ones are responsible for the greater challenges at work.

Taking a closer look at the relationship between women and men (56 versus 43 percent), it is clear that the frequent duplication of job and family leads to an increase in headache. Among the causes of headache, interviewees reported lack of fluid (34 percent) and lack of sleep (25 percent). Ten percent cited alcohol consumption as the reason.

A good 80 percent of people in Germany are haunted by headaches. For some it is short, for others it is for days. Children and adolescents are now as often affected as adults. Four out of every five students occasionally experience headaches and new study numbers.

Number of young headache patients is rising steadily
According to the experts, the number of young headache patients has quadrupled since the 1970s. It is also striking that girls are two and a half times more affected than boys. Why this is so can not be explained. People with chronic, recurring pain, according to new study results often have an altered perception of pain. Migraine sufferers often suffer from hypersensitivity of the skin (allodynia), in which every touch is felt as pain.

Good news is available for the ten percent of Germans who suffer from migraine attacks. In the near future, new therapeutic approaches will be incorporated into the treatment. Thus, for example, the drug Triptan can be injected soon without needle, only by high pressure through the skin. The active ingredient DHE (dihydroergotamine) will be offered in the future as an inhalant and should act as much more efficient.

Botox relieves chronic migraine
Two large-scale studies on the treatment of chronic migraine have also demonstrated the alleviating effect of Botox. The migraine attacks per month could be significantly reduced in the studies by Botox.

Even against the so-called cluster headache, this is one of the worst kind of headache, there will be a new treatment method. Good results have been provided by a mini-stimulator implanted in the maxilla. By means of remote control by mobile phone, a bundle of nerves is stimulated during pain attacks and there is a soothing effect. (Fr)