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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Association of atopic disease and migraine
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Association of atopic disease and migraine
by DAN__0, Jul 14, 1998 12:00AM
Is there a higher incidence of migraines in atopic individuals? I have mild asthma and year round allergic rhinitis. I also have suffered from migraines for seven years experiencing 3-12 migraines per month. Some are classical and some are common migraines. I have tried depacot, periactin, tricyclics, calcium channel blockers amd SSRIs. I am currently taking 400 mg of B-2, 30 mg of Prozac, and trying to keep MSG & preservatives out of my diet. I also limit fat intake and practice biofeedback daily. None of this has given me any lasting relief. I have been screened by MRI and spinal tap and these are normal. I am on desensitization for my allergic disorder and have been told that I can not be on beta blockers for migraine prophylaxis. However, this is the only class of prophylaxis I have not tried. Do you have any further suggestions?
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Thanks for your question. Although the results are not absolutely conclusive,
there seems to be a statistical correlation between asthma and migraine.
In a relatively recent study, it was found that there is a higher percentage
of asthmatic babies born to mothers that have migraine. This study is not
written in layman's terms, but if you are interested the reference is:
Asthma and eczema in children born to women with migraine, in Archives of
Neurology, November 1990, volume 47, pages 1227-1230.
Another study also found a higher correlation between atopic disease in
children (asthma, eczema, and particularly rhinitis) and migraine:
The prevalence of headache and migraine in atopic children: an epidemiological
study in general practice, in Headache, September 1993, volume 33, pages
427-431.
Regarding your symptoms and current treatment, I agree with avoiding
beta-blocking agents given your history of asthma. However, you should
have some prophylactic medication such as a calcium-channel blocker to
decrease the frequency of your migraine episodes.
If you live in the Cleveland area, the Headache Center at the Cleveland
Clinic has a group of neurologists (Drs. Gretter, Kunkel, and Yuska-Mays)
specialized in the treatment of headaches.
If you would like to make an appointment please call
1-216-444-5559 or 1-800-CCF-CARE.
I hope this information is helpful.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only.
Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
