Migraines are extremely common, affecting one in every seven adults worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 37 million people suffer from migraines. Some studies estimate that 13% of all U.S. adults experience migraines, with 2 to 3 million Americans being categorized as chronic migraine sufferers. While much of what causes migraines has been shrouded in mystery, it turns out that the root of the issue might stem from your ancestors’ decisions to migrate to colder climates — and their need to adapt to survive.
In an analysis of more than 1,200 modern individuals around the world and 79 ancient people who lived thousands of years ago, individuals of European descent were found to have the highest frequency of TRPM8, a gene that’s been linked with helping humans thrive in cold environments. This gene codes the only known receptor that allows individuals to detect cold temperatures and respond to them in kind. That gene, in turn, is associated with a variant — which has become more commonly found in those living in higher latitudes over the past 25,000 years — that has been frequently linked with migraines in past studies. While only 5% of those with Nigerian ancestry carried this variant, 88% of people with Finnish ancestry did. Migraines have the highest prevalence in Europe and the lowest in Africa, according to the World Health Organization. The theory is that, as people left warmer climates to colonize colder areas in America and Europe, this gene and its variant were developed — though scientists aren’t totally sure how they’re related yet.
Lead study author Felix Key explains: “The direct link between cold sensation and migraine is unknown; however, both are related to pain which provides a possible, but speculative, link.”
So now that you can blame your throbbing headache and aura on your long-gone relatives, what can you do about alleviating the source of your suffering?
Aside from ancestral data, there are a few things we know about who’s most likely to develop migraines. The World Health Organization reports that women are three times more likely to develop migraines than men, likely due to hormonal factors. For many women, PMS can come with stomach cramps and a pounding headache, which only adds to the fun they experience every month. And while migraines can affect children, they’re most common in those between the ages of 35 and 45.
Still, that doesn’t tell us everything. Another challenge for migraine sufferers is that triggers can vary so widely from person to person — and even a single individual may not always develop a migraine due to the same triggers. For example, an excess of caffeine can cause migraines in some people, which is unwelcome news for businesses and coffee-lovers, considering that statistics show American customers drink an average of 1.64 cups of java a day. But for others, coffee is the one thing that they can count on to relieve their migraine once it’s started.
There are numerous other potential triggers, including food sensitivities (popular examples include cheese, chocolate, cured meat, artificial sweeteners, MSG-laden foods, and spices) and strong scents (like perfume, chemicals, and gasoline). An irregular sleep schedule, bad lighting, excessive screen time, or alcohol consumption can cause a migraine, as can excessive heat and changes in barometric pressure. Stress is also a major concern for many migraine sufferers, especially those who experience a lot of it in their work environments. While 78% of people say that installing art at work can help to reduce stress, that may not be enough to soothe a serious head malady.
As if the debilitating headaches, nausea, vision problems, exhaustion, and body pain weren’t enough — many migraine sufferers may have to deal with even more symptoms to add to the list. A new study also found that chronic migraine sufferers are at risk for other conditions, including temporomandibular joint disorder (known more colloquially as TMJ). Around 35 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with this disorder, characterized by reduced jaw movement, pain, and clicking or popping sounds in the jaw. Migraine sufferers are actually three times more likely to develop TMJ than other individuals are. While there’s no evidence to suggest that a TMJ diagnosis could increase your risk for migraines, it’s a good idea to get the migraines under control for many reasons.
While some people find over-the-counter migraine medications to be helpful, they shouldn’t be used more than two or three times a week. Experts say it’s better to consult your doctor to come up with preventative care options, including prescriptions for other conditions that have proven helpful in reducing migraines. Some swear by the daith piercing, which is not scientifically proven to provide relief but follows the same logic used by acupuncturists and is anecdotally recommended by many sufferers. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be helpful in reducing certain triggers like stress, while others turn to electrode stimulation to provide relief. The FDA just approved a new prevention medication, called Aimovig, to help chronic migraine sufferers through an injectable dose taken on a monthly basis.
If you do suffer from migraines, it may help to keep a journal of how often you develop symptoms and a detailed account of foods, smells, and other possible triggers. You can then take this information to your physician to discuss possible options for prevention and treatment. Fortunately, the increased coverage on migraines as of late has provided more answers for those who suffer from the debilitating symptoms — as well as the knowledge that these individuals are in no way alone in their experiences.