Do traumatic childhood events increase risk of headaches in adulthood? Study sheds light

A new study published in the journal Neurology suggests that people who experienced traumatic events in childhood, such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction, may be more likely to experience headache disorders as adults.

The study, a meta-analysis of 28 studies involving over 150,000 participants, found that people who had experienced one or more traumatic childhood events were 48% more likely to have headache disorders than those who had not experienced such events. The risk of headaches increased with the number of traumatic childhood events experienced.

Researchers also looked at the association between types of traumatic childhood events and headache disorders. They found that threat traumas, such as physical and sexual abuse, were linked to a 46% increase in headaches, while deprivation traumas, such as neglect and economic adversity, were linked to a 35% increase in headaches. Experiencing physical and sexual abuse was linked to a 60% increased risk of headaches, and neglect was linked to a nearly three-fold increased risk of headache disorders.

The study's findings suggest that traumatic childhood events may play a significant role in the development of headache disorders. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and to develop effective interventions for preventing and treating headache disorders in people with a history of childhood trauma.

Reference: Journal Neurology