Crying as a precipitating factor for migraine and tension-type headache

Authors

  • Yara Dadalti Fragoso Universidade Metropolitana de Santos
  • Regina Carvalho Universidade Metropolitana de Santos
  • Fernanda Ferrero Universidade Metropolitana de Santos
  • Darcya Maria Lourenço Universidade Metropolitana de Santos
  • Erica Regina Paulino Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

Keywords:

Headache, Migraine, Tension-type, Crying

Abstract

CONTEXT: Scarcely reported in the literature, crying seems to be an important precipitating factor for both migraine and tension-type headache in daily practice. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of crying as a precipitating factor for migraine and tension-type headache. TYPE OF STUDY: Prospective evaluation. PARTICIPANTS: 163 workers or students from the Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, who presented at least one attack a month, for at least one year, of either migraine or tension-type headache. PROCEDURES: Interview by means of questionnaires and personal evaluations. Details of precipitating factors for the attacks were assessed. RESULTS: From the total group of 163 individuals, 90 (55.2%) considered crying to be a potential factor for triggering headache attacks. Of this group of 90 persons, 62 presented migraine (6 males, 56 females) and 28 presented tension-type headache (5 males, 23 females). Only stress, anxiety and menstrual periods rated higher or equal to crying as triggering factors for both types of headache. CONCLUSIONS: The physiology of crying is not well documented or understood. The act of crying seems to be an important precipitating factor for primary headaches and it should be studied further. The authors welcome comments on the matter and would like to work in collaboration with other groups interested in this subject.

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Author Biographies

Yara Dadalti Fragoso, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

MD, MSc, PhD. Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Regina Carvalho, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

Undergraduate Medical Student, Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Fernanda Ferrero, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

Undergraduate Medical Student, Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Darcya Maria Lourenço, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

Undergraduate Medical Student, Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

Erica Regina Paulino, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos

Undergraduate Medical Student, Departamento de Neurologia, Universidade Metropolitana de Santos, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil.

References

Blau JN. Crying headache. Lancet 1995;345(8952):803.

Evans RW. Crying migraine. Headache 1998;38(10):799-800.

Classification and diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, cranial neuralgias and facial pain. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. Cephalalgia 1988;8(Suppl 7):1-96.

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Published

2003-01-01

How to Cite

1.
Fragoso YD, Carvalho R, Ferrero F, Lourenço DM, Paulino ER. Crying as a precipitating factor for migraine and tension-type headache. Sao Paulo Med J [Internet]. 2003 Jan. 1 [cited 2025 Mar. 18];121(1):31-3. Available from: https://periodicosapm.emnuvens.com.br/spmj/article/view/2567

Issue

Section

Short Communication