https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/headaches/ Learn about migraine headache symptoms and treatment. Read the latest research on the various types of headaches such as migraine headaches, sinus headaches, and cluster headaches, among others. Find out the causes of headaches, headache remedies and new methods to get relief. en-us Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:28:50 EDT Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:28:50 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/headaches/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130161848.htm Propranolol, a beta blocker medication used for treating high blood pressure and preventing migraines, may lower ischemic stroke risk in women who experience migraines frequently. Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:18:48 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250130161848.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241223174906.htm A drug recently approved to prevent migraine may start working right away, according to a new study. The study looked at the drug atogepant, which is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist taken by mouth. Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:49:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/12/241223174906.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240704201424.htm New research details the connection between the neurological symptoms associated with aura and the migraine that follows. The study also identifies new proteins that could be responsible for headaches and may serve as foundation for new migraine drugs. Thu, 04 Jul 2024 20:14:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240704201424.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240626173604.htm A drug used to prevent migraine may also be effective in people with migraine who experience rebound headaches, according to a new study. Wed, 26 Jun 2024 17:36:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240626173604.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240412125431.htm A third of the nearly 20 million women who participated in a national health survey reports migraines during menstruation, and of them, 11.8 million, or 52.5%, were premenopausal. Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:54:31 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240412125431.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240313185048.htm Space travel and zero gravity can take a toll on the body. A new study has found that astronauts with no prior history of headaches may experience migraine and tension-type headaches during long-haul space flight, which includes more than 10 days in space. Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:50:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240313185048.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240313185041.htm A new study has identified a link between poor sleep and migraine attacks that suggests improving sleep health may diminish migraine attacks in people with migraine. Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:50:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240313185041.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240214122543.htm Women who have both migraines and a long-term history of hot flashes and/or night sweats have a slightly higher risk of heart disease and stroke, and young women who have migraines have a higher risk of later persistent menopause symptoms, according to two new papers based on a data from a long-term study of the same group of women from their young adult to middle-age years. Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:25:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240214122543.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240117183805.htm Migraine can impact many aspects of a person's life, but less is known about how feelings of stigma about the disease affect quality of life. For people with migraine, these feelings of stigma were linked to more disability, increased disease burden and reduced quality of life, according to new research. Wed, 17 Jan 2024 18:38:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240117183805.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240103131022.htm A new study finds that older adult drivers who are recently diagnosed with migraines are three times as likely to experience a motor vehicle crash. Older adult drivers who reported having ever had migraines in the past were no more likely to have a motor vehicle crash than those without migraines. Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:10:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240103131022.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231129150115.htm Researchers have identified objective evidence of how the neck muscles are involved in primary headaches, according to a new study. Wed, 29 Nov 2023 15:01:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/11/231129150115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230330102139.htm Both cluster headache and migraine have strong links to the circadian system, the internal clock that regulates body processes, according to a meta-analysis. Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:21:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230330102139.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230131124422.htm Women are disproportionately affected by migraine, especially during their reproductive years. However, the relationship between migraine and adverse pregnancy outcomes has not been well understood. A new study analyzed data from thousands of women from the Nurses' Health Study II to assess the relationship between migraine and pregnancy complications. Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:44:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230131124422.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221214180650.htm People with cluster headaches may be more than three times more likely to have other medical conditions such as heart disease, mental disorders and other neurologic diseases, according to a new study. Wed, 14 Dec 2022 18:06:50 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221214180650.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220411202337.htm A new review of the evidence suggests 52 percent of the global population are affected by a headache disorder every year, with 14 percent reporting migraines. Mon, 11 Apr 2022 20:23:37 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220411202337.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220225123447.htm Women with migraine may have a higher risk of pregnancy complications like preterm delivery, gestational high blood pressure and preeclampsia, according to a preliminary study. Researchers also found that women with migraine with aura may have a somewhat higher risk of preeclampsia than women with migraine without aura. Auras are sensations that come before the headache, often visual disturbances such as flashing lights. Preeclampsia involves high blood pressure with additional symptoms, such as protein in the urine, during pregnancy, which can threaten the life of the mother and baby. Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:34:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220225123447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220209112154.htm A new study shows that people with migraine or frequent tension headaches have a reduced work ability in particularly three areas. The researchers hope that the new knowledge may help workplaces become better at accommodating those suffering from headaches. Wed, 09 Feb 2022 11:21:54 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220209112154.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220203122535.htm Scientists identified more than 120 regions of the genome that are connected to risk of migraine. The groundbreaking study helps researchers better understand the biological basis of migraine and its subtypes and could speed up the search for new treatment of the condition, which affects over a billion individuals worldwide. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 12:25:35 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220203122535.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220203083601.htm An international team of researchers has discovered that Schwann cells -- which are abundant in the peripheral nervous system and create a protective sheath around nerve fibers -- play an essential role in migraine pain. Their study illustrates how pain is signaled from within Schwann cells and finds several ways to block this signaling, providing potential targets for new migraine treatments. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:36:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220203083601.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211208110314.htm Debilitating cluster headaches commonly begin in childhood, but patients are not typically diagnosed until they are adults, according to new research. Wed, 08 Dec 2021 11:03:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211208110314.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922160654.htm Adults and children with migraines may get less quality, REM sleep time than people who don't have migraines. That's according to a meta-analysis. Children with migraines were also found to get less total sleep time than their healthy peers but took less time to fall asleep. Wed, 22 Sep 2021 16:06:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922160654.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210723131218.htm When experiencing the ups and downs of a virtual roller coaster ride, people who get migraine headaches reported more dizziness and motion sickness than people who do not get migraines, according to a new study. Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:12:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210723131218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210630213035.htm A diet higher in fatty fish helped frequent migraine sufferers reduce their monthly number of headaches and intensity of pain compared to participants on a diet higher in vegetable-based fats and oils, according to a new study. Wed, 30 Jun 2021 21:30:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210630213035.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210505174943.htm By discovering a potential new cellular mechanism for migraines, researchers may have also found a new way to treat chronic migraine. Wed, 05 May 2021 17:49:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210505174943.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210408153646.htm The millions of people who have chronic sinusitis deal not only with stuffy noses and headaches, they also commonly struggle to focus and experience depression and other symptoms that implicate the brain's involvement in their illness. New research links sinus inflammation with alterations in brain activity, specifically with the neural networks that modulate cognition, introspection and response to external stimuli. Thu, 08 Apr 2021 15:36:46 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210408153646.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210329200312.htm A type of glaucoma called normal-tension glaucoma is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and possibly dementia, finds new research. Mon, 29 Mar 2021 20:03:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210329200312.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200915090104.htm A survey of 607 women who suffer from severe migraine found twenty percent of the respondents are currently avoiding pregnancy because of their migraines. The women avoiding pregnancy due to severe migraine tend to be in their thirties, are more likely to have migraine triggered by menstruation, and are more likely to have very frequent attacks (chronic migraine) compared to their counterparts who are not avoiding pregnancy, according to a new study. Tue, 15 Sep 2020 09:01:04 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200915090104.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203091010.htm Evidence from 13 randomized trials of the treatment of migraine in 4,222 patients and tens of thousands of patients in prevention of recurrent attacks supports the use of high dose aspirin from 900 to 1,300 milligrams to treat acute migraine as well as low dose daily aspirin from 81 to 325 milligrams to prevent recurrent attacks. Aspirin is available without a prescription, is inexpensive, and has a relatively favorable side-effect profile compared to alternative more expensive medications. Tue, 03 Dec 2019 09:10:10 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203091010.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191120131307.htm Researchers have discovered that a peptide links together migraine pain and pain induced by opioid overuse. Wed, 20 Nov 2019 13:13:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191120131307.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190814161812.htm For children and teens with migraine, the pain and symptoms that accompany migraine attacks can be debilitating, resulting in missed school days, absence from social or sporting events, and affected home activities. Now the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the American Headache Society have developed two guidelines that include recommendations for preventing and treating migraine in children and teens. Wed, 14 Aug 2019 16:18:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190814161812.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190814090605.htm Several studies have recently focused on the association between migraine headaches and other headaches and dementia and found a positive migraine-dementia relationship. However, most of these studies have failed to simultaneously adjust for several common comorbidities, thus potentially introducing bias into their findings. Wed, 14 Aug 2019 09:06:05 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190814090605.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190808091422.htm Researchers have evaluated the role of caffeinated beverages as a potential trigger of migraine. Thu, 08 Aug 2019 09:14:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190808091422.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190807144357.htm An increasing number of Americans are using opioids to treat their migraine headaches, despite the fact that opioids are not the recommended first-line therapy for migraine in most cases. Wed, 07 Aug 2019 14:43:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190807144357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190711122700.htm Adolescent girls who reach puberty at an earlier age may also have a greater chance of developing migraine headaches, according to new research. Thu, 11 Jul 2019 12:27:00 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190711122700.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190626125111.htm Pregnant women with migraine have an increased risk of miscarriage, caesarean sections and giving birth to a child with low birth weight. This is shown by a comprehensive register-based study. The study also suggests that prescription migraine drugs may alleviate the complications. Wed, 26 Jun 2019 12:51:11 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190626125111.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190207123115.htm The first drug of a new drug class can reduce the number of headache days if other prophylactic medications have failed or have not been an option. Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:31:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190207123115.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190103110722.htm A growing body of evidence supports the effectiveness of botulinum toxin injections in reducing the frequency of chronic migraine headaches, concludes an updated review and analysis. Thu, 03 Jan 2019 11:07:22 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190103110722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181218093009.htm Researchers have demonstrated a new mechanism related to the onset of migraine. In fact, they found how a mutation, causes dysfunction in a protein which inhibits neuronal electrical activity, induces migraines. These results open a new path for the development of anti-migraine medicines. Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:30:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181218093009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181114162032.htm People who experience migraine with visual aura may have an increased risk of an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, according to a new study. Wed, 14 Nov 2018 16:20:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181114162032.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180830084823.htm To decrease the substantial health and economic burden of migraine on individuals and society, researchers need to examine and address how the disease differs between women and men. Thu, 30 Aug 2018 08:48:23 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180830084823.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180814075932.htm Differing levels of sex hormones, especially estrogens, may explain why many more women than men suffer from migraines. A study provides evidence that these hormones affect cell mechanisms that control responses to migraine triggers, offering a possible pathway to more effective, personalized treatments. Tue, 14 Aug 2018 07:59:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/08/180814075932.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160334.htm When migraine sufferers see the tell-tale squiggly lines, light flashes and blind spots of a migraine aura, they prepare for a migraine. When researchers see the brain image of an aura, they try to figure out what causes it and if there is a way to stop the start of the migraine. Now an international team of researchers has identified the electrical activity specific to the start of migraines and demonstrated a way to stop it in animal experiments. Wed, 27 Jun 2018 16:03:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180627160334.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180518164056.htm Stroke researchers have confirmed that the presence of frontal cortical lesions moderated response to prism adaptation treatment after right-brain stroke. Fri, 18 May 2018 16:40:56 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180518164056.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180503142926.htm The nauseating, often debilitating, headaches affect 15-20 percent of adults in developed countries, yet they remain stubbornly hard to explain. Scientists know that migraines tend to run in families but aren't sure exactly how. A new study shows why some families are susceptible to migraines and how genetics may influence the type of migraine they get. Thu, 03 May 2018 14:29:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180503142926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180423085434.htm Findings from a new study conducted in rats reveal that females may be more susceptible to migraines and less responsive to treatment because of the way fluctuations in the hormone estrogen affect cells in the brain. Mon, 23 Apr 2018 08:54:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180423085434.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180131184740.htm Migraine is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular problems (conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels) including heart attacks, stroke, blood clots and an irregular heart rate, say researchers. Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:47:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180131184740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180102134841.htm In addition to reducing headache frequency and severity, surgical treatment for migraine leads to significant improvements in everyday functioning and coping ability, according to a new study. Tue, 02 Jan 2018 13:48:41 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/01/180102134841.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171128091009.htm Migraine sufferers have significantly higher sodium concentrations in their cerebrospinal fluid than people without the condition, according to the first study to use a technique called sodium MRI to look at migraine patients. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 09:10:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171128091009.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171021143928.htm Ketamine may help alleviate migraine pain in patients who have not been helped by other treatments, suggests a new study. Sat, 21 Oct 2017 14:39:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171021143928.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011091812.htm Migraine headaches are common among women, but due to various health risks can be challenging to treat in the elderly. While hormone therapy is effective in relieving many menopause symptoms, its safe use in women with migraines was unconfirmed. A new study demonstrates its safety for this population. Wed, 11 Oct 2017 09:18:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171011091812.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170922091536.htm Although it’s the third most prevalent illness in the world, migraine is widely misunderstood and frequently undiagnosed. Until quite recently a common “remedy” for migraine was to lie in a dark room and wait for the pain to pass. But today there are treatments that work – and new medications formulated specifically for migraine are in the pipeline. Fri, 22 Sep 2017 09:15:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170922091536.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170904093810.htm People with a specific variation in the CLOCK gene have more migraines under financial stress. This work shows the effect of the genetics of circadian rhythms on migraine. Mon, 04 Sep 2017 09:38:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170904093810.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170816181544.htm African-Americans are more likely to experience debilitating migraine headaches than whites, but a new study probing the issue found no evidence of racial disparities in treatment practices. Instead, researchers report a different finding that affects everyone: opioid overuse. Wed, 16 Aug 2017 18:15:44 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170816181544.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170626181119.htm Light makes migraine headaches more painful and induces negative emotions and unpleasant physical sensations, new research confirms. Laboratory studies identify previously unknown connections between nerve cells in the eye and neurons in the brain that regulate physiological, autonomic, endocrine and emotional responses. These findings offer promising path forward for researchers in treatment of migraines. Mon, 26 Jun 2017 18:11:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170626181119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170329161503.htm Using PET scans of the brain, researchers showed that dopamine falls and fluctuates at different times during a migraine headache. Wed, 29 Mar 2017 16:15:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170329161503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161101103541.htm Eliminating that morning 'Cup of Joe,' consuming processed foods high in nitrites or monosodium glutamate (MSG) and enjoying too much alcohol are potential headache triggers for individuals battling migraines, suggests a new report. Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:35:41 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161101103541.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161018132608.htm The mouths of migraine sufferers harbor significantly more microbes with the ability to modify nitrates than people who do not get migraine headaches, new research has found. Tue, 18 Oct 2016 13:26:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161018132608.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160927114603.htm Sufferers of migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches or other headache disorders are at greater risk of developing a thyroid condition called hypothyroidism, according to a new study. Tue, 27 Sep 2016 11:46:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160927114603.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160614114447.htm A team of researchers has now been able to establish the following: female migraine patients have a higher risk of stroke or heart attacks than women without migraine. Their findings are based on an analysis of data collected as part of the US-based Nurses' Health Study II. Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:44:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160614114447.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160610140645.htm A high percentage of children, teens and young adults with migraines appear to have mild deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin and coenzyme Q10 -- a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of the body that is used to produce energy for cell growth and maintenance. Fri, 10 Jun 2016 14:06:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160610140645.htm