obesity | National Headache Foundation

February 2021 HEADFIRST Newsletter

NHF-February-2021-Newsletter

Case Studies in Headache: Intercranial Hypertension

By Anne H. Calhoun, M.D. Partner and co-founder of the Carolina Headache Institute, Chapel Hill, North Carolina THE CASE For the last year, Janice has had frequent headaches with nausea and vomiting. The headaches vary throughout the day, from mild…

Proteins May Serve as Migraine Bio-Marker

Obesity-related proteins called adipokines may serve as biomarkers for the pain associated with migraine and migraine treatment response, according to information presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pain Management last month. “This is exciting research and…

Increased Body Weight Associated with Migraine

Frequent migraine and obesity have long been linked, but now researchers understand that being overweight is also associated with migraine attacks that occur less frequently. B. Lee Peterlin, DO, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, and…

Obesity Puts Many at Higher Risk of Migraine

A new study indicates being overweight may increase the risk of episodic migraine in many individuals. In this study about weight and migraine, B. Lee Peterlin, DO, of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, led a cross-sectional analysis of…

Migraine With Aura Linked to all Stroke Types

Migraine with aura is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and now research indicates that the disorder increases the risk of all types of stroke. Previously, migraine with aura had been linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke…

Migraine With Aura Raises Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Women who experience migraine with aura are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, according to new research. In the latest study on this subject, researchers followed 27,860 women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study…

Migraine Does Not Lead to Weight Gain

Migraine has previously been linked with weight gain, but a recent large study has determined there is good news for migraineurs. Women with migraine are not at greater risk of becoming overweight than other women. For this study, researchers followed…

Bigger Waistlines Raise Risk of Migraine

Last month we reported that being extremely overweight (or underweight) might be a risk factor for migraine and other severe headaches. A new study, to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in April, suggests that excess weight…

Too Heavy or Too Thin? Either Extreme May Worsen Headaches

The link between headaches, particularly migraine, and obesity is a controversial one—studies have weighed in for and against it. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that being extremely overweight or underweight may be a risk factor for…

Overweight Children Face More Headaches

Children who are overweight are more likely to have more frequent and disabling headaches than their average-weight peers, according to the first study exploring the links between obesity and headaches in children, published online in Headache. In fact, the heavier…

Obesity and Migraine

Being overweight is a risk factor for progression of headaches. Additionally, many of the preventive headache medications can cause weight gain. Those on such agents need to follow their weight carefully.