Accurately predicting when a migraine will strike can mean the difference between prevention and debilitating pain.
In a new study, researchers identified 5 factors that were strong indicators a migraine was on the way.
Their study included 477 people… 7 to 84 years old… who used mobile apps to rate their mood, energy, stress and headaches for two weeks.
They also rated their sleep quality and wore sleep and physical activity monitors.
The results showed participants who reported poor sleep quality were 22% more likely to have a migraine the following morning.
A decrease in usual sleep quality and a drop in energy level on the prior day were also strong indicators a migraine would hit the next morning.
In contrast, greater than average stress and higher energy than usual the day before increased the change of a headache attack by 17%.
But being anxious or in a depressed mood did not impact migraine risk, according to the researchers.
One study author says the finding, “demonstrates the importance of monitoring sleep changes as a predictor of headache attacks.”
She says the use of apps that track sleep and other health conditions can provide valuable information to manage migraine.