Headaches and obesity

Abstract

Obesity and headache disorders are two very common conditions in the general population that have been increasing in incidence over the last decades. Recent studies have shown a significant relationship between obesity and headaches, particularly migraine, with an important role in whether the disease is chronic. On the other hand, no such association was found with tension-type headaches. Studies showing an overlapping of hunger-control pathways and those involved in the pathophysiology of migraine may justify the close association between obesity and migraine. Moreover, a secondary headache for which obesity is a strong risk factor is idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), with several studies showing the impact of weight reduction/bariatric surgery in the treatment of the disease. In conclusion, since obesity is a modifiable risk factor, it is important for physicians treating patients with headaches, and particularly migraine, to be aware of the association between these two disorders.

Assessing the Relationship between Obesity and Trigger Point-specific Outcomes after Headache Surgery

“…Several biological links between obesity and migraine may explain this observed phenomenon. Previous investigations have revealed a common dysfunction of the hypothalamus and its associated neurotransmitters, 31 and both conditions have been noted to share key proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and leptin. [32][33][34] Furthermore, obesity has also been shown to alter dural levels of calcitonin gene related peptide and modulate estrogen metabolism, both of which have been linked to migraine pathology.…”

The Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure in Children with Pseudotumor Cerebri

“…Obesity can also contribute to the development of conditions, such as PTS, depression, and cognitive disorders, which may lead to poor academic success 14 . Previous studies reported that obesity was an important risk factor for the PTS development [15][16][17] . In a study involving 165 children in the United States of America, about half of the patients were overweight (23.4%) or obese (33.1%) 18 .…”

Specifically formulated ketogenic, low carbohydrate, and carnivore diets can prevent migraine: a perspective

“…For example, a small trial concluded that the ketogenic diet is likely beneficial because it helps people lose weight and migraine sufferers are overweight ( 188 ). Interestingly there are many studies pointing to migraineurs being overweight ( 189 , 190 ), yet my experience in working with thousands of migraine sufferers from around the world is that they are not overweight—in fact many are underweight as a result of being unable to eat while they are so often in pain. Regardless, weight loss on its own is not likely to lead to the reduction of migraine given that it is a genetic condition of ionic channel variants and the brain’s glucose intolerance ( 191 ).…”