Abused children prone to migraine
Children who are physically or emotionally abused or neglected are more likely to develop migraines and other chronic pain conditions as adults.
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Children who are physically or emotionally abused or neglected are more likely to develop migraines and other chronic pain conditions as adults.
Previous studies have found that stress caused by abuse can alter children's brains, making them more likely to develop chronic pain from such conditions as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis and arthritis. Stressful events in childhood, such as abuse, can alter the body's stress response permanently and predispose to a wide variety of medical and psychiatric conditions in adulthood. It is not uncommon for people who've been abused to have a variety of debilitating conditions, including migraine. Understanding the physiological effects of the abuse on the brain over the life span may lead to prevention or more effective treatment of migraine and associated conditions.
The researchers collected data on 1,348 people with migraine who were seen at 11 outpatient headache centres. About 58 percent reported being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or physically or emotionally neglected during childhood. Also, 61 percent reported having at least one painful condition other than migraine.
It was found that those who had been abused or neglected as children were significantly more likely to suffer from other chronic pain conditions than were people who had not been abused as children. Persons with migraine who had been abused were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and from chronic stress-related pain conditions.
The researchers noted that different types of abuse appeared to result in different conditions. For example, physical abuse was linked with arthritis, whereas emotional abuse was associated with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Physical neglect was linked to an increased likelihood of irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis and arthritis. Women who suffered physical abuse or neglect as children were also more likely to have endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Emotional abuse was linked to both conditions as well, but emotional neglect was associated with uterine fibroids alone. Stress in childhood can change pathways in the brain, with neglect being the worst. Children can take only so much stress before it begins to affect their growing brain.
The researchers also noted that not all abused children develop migraines and not everyone who suffers from migraines or any other chronic painful condition was abused. But those with a history of abuse are more likely to have the worst cases of migraine. They are also the ones most likely to suffer from other pain conditions.
As human beings we need nurturing both physical nurturing and emotional nurturing to flourish. Society needs to find ways to promote nurturing and stable environments for children to prevent maltreatment.
Previous studies have found that stress caused by abuse can alter children's brains, making them more likely to develop chronic pain from such conditions as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis and arthritis. Stressful events in childhood, such as abuse, can alter the body's stress response permanently and predispose to a wide variety of medical and psychiatric conditions in adulthood. It is not uncommon for people who've been abused to have a variety of debilitating conditions, including migraine. Understanding the physiological effects of the abuse on the brain over the life span may lead to prevention or more effective treatment of migraine and associated conditions.
The researchers collected data on 1,348 people with migraine who were seen at 11 outpatient headache centres. About 58 percent reported being physically, sexually or emotionally abused or physically or emotionally neglected during childhood. Also, 61 percent reported having at least one painful condition other than migraine.
It was found that those who had been abused or neglected as children were significantly more likely to suffer from other chronic pain conditions than were people who had not been abused as children. Persons with migraine who had been abused were more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and from chronic stress-related pain conditions.
The researchers noted that different types of abuse appeared to result in different conditions. For example, physical abuse was linked with arthritis, whereas emotional abuse was associated with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis. Physical neglect was linked to an increased likelihood of irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, interstitial cystitis and arthritis. Women who suffered physical abuse or neglect as children were also more likely to have endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Emotional abuse was linked to both conditions as well, but emotional neglect was associated with uterine fibroids alone. Stress in childhood can change pathways in the brain, with neglect being the worst. Children can take only so much stress before it begins to affect their growing brain.
The researchers also noted that not all abused children develop migraines and not everyone who suffers from migraines or any other chronic painful condition was abused. But those with a history of abuse are more likely to have the worst cases of migraine. They are also the ones most likely to suffer from other pain conditions.
As human beings we need nurturing both physical nurturing and emotional nurturing to flourish. Society needs to find ways to promote nurturing and stable environments for children to prevent maltreatment.
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