Indians experience spike in headaches post-pandemic: Survey

Hyderabad: Headaches, especially migraine, can be the most debilitating of diseases even though no hospital admission is required and people hardly go to doctors to get treated. Some headaches like migraine can continue for several days, even more than a week, incapacitating one from carrying on with their routine activities.

While some people say that seasonal changes like the rainy season can act as a triggering factor for migraine headaches, there have been no known studies in the Indian subcontinent to establish the correlation between migraine and the monsoons, a season unique to India and some Asian countries. A few international studies point to extreme hot or cold weather triggering headaches.

Causes of migraine are multifactorial

Elaborating on the causes of migraine, Hyderabad-based general physician Dr P Saketha Reddy, avers, “In monsoon, the humid weather and changes in air pressure can trigger migraine in some people but it’s more prevalent in summer heat due to dehydration and in very cold weather. Studies have found that extremely cold weather can cause SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression) and other health issues, especially in countries, which do not get adequate sunlight. Other than the weather, genetic or hereditary factors, environmental factors, certain food, smell, light, and noise can also trigger migraine. Disturbed and inadequate sleep or excess sleep, erratic food intake, and stress are other causes. It affects one usually from puberty and may continue even post-menopause. A study has shown 8 % of men and 19 % of women in the US are affected by migraine.”

Confusing migraine with sinusitis

Due to the intensity of the headache, which continues over a prolonged period, say 12-72 hours, patients often tend to confuse sinusitis and migraine. Dr. Reddy explains, “There are certain differences in symptoms that can help one differentiate between the two types of headaches. Migraine headaches cause throbbing unilateral pains (usually at one side of the head, behind the eyes, with or without aura (nausea or vomiting), intolerance to light and/or sound, sometimes accompanied by neck pain. It can also happen just before, during, or after a menstrual cycle due to hormonal changes. Usually, ordinary medicines like paracetamol and aspirin may not help for migraine pain and one should take drugs prescribed by doctors if the migraine pain is chronic, frequent, and lasts for days or weeks.”

“On the other hand, sinusitis usually sets in shortly after one suffers from viral or bacterial infections or gets wet in the rain. The pain is on both sides of the head and is usually preceded by cold and fever. Inhaling steam or vapour and gargling with warm salt water can provide relief apart from over-the-counter medication. If it’s too severe or follows a bacterial infection, then one should consult an ENT or physician for further treatment, and antibiotics might be required,” adds Dr Reddy.

Some studies abroad have also shown that exposure to two litres of cold air for about 45 minutes can give relief to migraine pain while some people have got relief through hot towel compression on the forehead.

Cluster and tension headaches

Doctors also point to two other types of headaches – cluster and tension. Cluster headache affects mainly men, causing redness of the eye and severe, unbearable pain to one side of the head. Usually, a visit to the emergency room, where oxygen is given for a few minutes to about half an hour can provide relief from this headache.

Tension headache, as the name says, is caused by stress. It is bilateral and causes no nausea or photophobia. Usually, aspirin-type OTC medication helps to provide relief.

“However, if one doesn’t get relief even after taking prescribed medication and home remedies and the headache continues through weeks and months without showing signs of much improvement, then it is better to do a CT or MRI scan to rule out bleeding or tumours,” advises Dr. Reddy.

Post-pandemic stress caused a spike in headache among Indians: Survey

Meanwhile, a post-pandemic national headache survey report in India – the New Saridon Headache Report - states that Indians experience a spike in headaches after the pandemic, especially due to a rise in stress levels. The survey included 5,310 respondents from 20 urban cities across 15 states. According to the report, 93 % of individuals experiencing headache, linked it to an enhanced level of stress. One in every three people felt that their stress levels have increased post-pandemic. Mumbai had the highest incidences (over 90 %) of headaches.