Migraines and cluster headaches form part of the daily lives of millions of people across the globe. We tend to regard headaches as routine, take some medication, and try to get on with our daily lives. But did you know that our circadian rhythm and headaches have a strong link? It seems these headaches also have a seasonal link, with most migraines occurring during the day from April to October. The peak period for cluster attacks seems to be during spring and fall.1 Besides the seasons, studies show a strong link between your melatonin levels, circadian rhythm, and headaches. But your genes and hormone levels also play a role.
The Circadian Rhythm
The term “circadian rhythm” refers to your body’s twenty-four-hour internal clock in the brain. It regulates your waking and sleeping times based on the changes in light. In other words, it causes wakefulness during the day and sleepiness at night. 2
The circadian rhythm also plays a role in various other body processes. Examples include the regulation of hormones, cell growth, and body temperature fluctuations. The hypothalamus in the brain controls these various processes.
Your hypothalamus forms part of your hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis, in turn, sends chemical messengers to various parts of your body during stressful events. This stress response is called the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response and sees a myriad of changes throughout your body. Changes include a heightened cortisol production in the adrenal glands, an increased heart and breathing rate, and a reduced production of certain hormones. Essentially, all body processes not regarded essential to your immediate survival either slow down or stop.
Cluster Headaches
The term “cluster headaches” refers to frequent bouts of painful headaches that occur behind an eye or on a certain side of the head. These headaches tend to disappear for long periods and then suddenly start again.
The period in which you experience these headaches can last for a few days or weeks or even months.
People with cluster headaches experience a lot of pain for which they usually take medications. These headaches usually strike without warning and have several potential symptoms3, according to studies on cluster headaches. They include:
- A stabbing pain behind one eye or on one side of the head – the pain could spread down into your neck, around the back of your head, or areas of the face.
- The pain may switch from one side of the head to the other.
- You may notice tears and experience a stuffy and/or runny nose.
- Perspiration on the face.
- Swelling around the eye affected – you may also notice this area drooping.
- The eye affected may show signs of redness.
Traditionally, therapy for this issue may include4:
- Avoiding certain triggers, such as certain foods, alcohol, exposure to bright light, altitude changes, and strong smells.
- Oxygen therapy.
- Painkillers to reduce the severity of an attack.
- Injections, such as serotonin and calcium channel blockers.
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide (GCRP) monoclonal antibody preventative therapy, which is relatively new.
- Mild electrical stimulation to the neck area or the gums.
Migraine Attacks
A migraine is a headache that can vary in intensity. Migraine attacks are often described as severe, throbbing pain. The trigger can vary from one person to the next. These triggers include:
- Stress
- Wine
- Caffeine
- Bright lights
- Certain medications
- Certain foods
- Changes in the weather
- Changes in sleeping patterns
- Hormonal changes
Many people experience certain sensations known as an aura shortly before a migraine starts. They may also experience the following:
- Flashing dots or lights
- Tingling skin/numbness
- Changes in speech
- Vision impairment
- Issues with their sense of taste or sense of smell
- A ringing noise in the ears
This situation usually occurs ten minutes to an hour before suffering from a migraine attack.
The symptoms associated with a migraine attack include:
- An intense, sudden pain on the one side of the head
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Mood swings
Your risk factors for developing migraines include a hereditary propensity, stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Many of these risk factors can also co-occur with adrenal fatigue.
Regarding conventional migraine therapy, the focus is on managing pain and addressing the symptoms. This is done through pain medications, nausea medications, medications that promote brain changes during an episode, medications that work on your sensory nerves and blood vessels, and medications that address inflammation. Inflammation is also part of your body’s NEM stress response and is a product of and contributor to adrenal fatigue.
Your Circadian Rhythm and Headaches
Your circadian rhythm and headaches may have a strong link, according to the Will Erwin Headache Research Center at UTHealth Houston.5 The studies included the following data:
- the times of day the headache started
- the times of year the headache was mostly experienced
- whether the headache began while asleep or before or after sleeping
- the involvement of genes associated with your circadian rhythm
The results of the study show a close correlation between your circadian rhythm and headaches. It affects cluster headaches and migraines in various ways.
Cluster Headaches
The circadian attack pattern for cluster headaches showed an increase during spring and autumn. Headaches typically started between 9 pm and 3 am. People with cluster headaches also had higher levels of cortisol and lower melatonin levels. At a cellular level, certain core circadian genes tended to increase susceptibility.
Migraines
Concerning migraines, the circadian rhythm also shows a clear pattern of attack. Most migraines occur between 11 pm and 7 am. The highest incidence of migraine attacks occurs between April and October. Migraine sufferers also tend to show lower levels of urinary melatonin. As with cluster headaches, certain core circadian genes also tend to increase your risk.
Study Conclusion
The study concludes that the circadian rhythm and cluster headaches and migraines have a close circadian link at various levels. These include the time of day, the hormones, and even genes.
Many of these correlations may also affect your hypothalamic function. This implies that your HPA axis and thus NEM stress response is affected by, and contributes to, the occurrence of cluster headaches and migraines.
Your HPA Axis and NEM Response: Relationship with Circadian Rhythm and Headaches
One of the results of your HPA axis sending chemical messengers that induce the NEM response is the increase in cortisol production. We often refer to cortisol as the stress hormone. And because stress hormone production increases during times of stress, it influences the production of other hormones in your body. Melatonin production in the brain may decrease, for example.
A reduction in melatonin may influence your mood. It may also influence your prevalence of headaches, as low melatonin levels are associated with migraines and cluster headaches. Indirectly, it may also affect your circadian rhythm, as low melatonin levels influence your ability to get a good night’s sleep. Similarly, sleep issues like insomnia could also contribute to adrenal fatigue.
Furthermore, the higher cortisol levels noted in the study above also point toward a body in a state of distress and possibly adrenal fatigue, especially considering the frequency of cluster headaches and migraines.
Headaches may also promote adrenal fatigue. Pain may put your body in a state of distress, causing an increase in cortisol production and activating an inflammatory response. These types of headaches seem to have an inflammatory component involved.
Is there thus a natural way to fight these types of headaches?
The Natural Approach to Circadian Rhythm Imbalances and Headaches
There are several ways to manage your circadian rhythm and headaches.
Avoid Dehydration
Dehydration can cause your body to go into a state of stress. It can also affect proper brain function. Examples of its effect on the brain include, amongst others:
- Headaches
- Feelings of irritability
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Light-headedness
- Decreased cognitive function
Trying to get eight glasses of water per day is a good benchmark.
Enough Sleep
Sleep issues may increase your risk of headaches.6 You could thus consider making certain lifestyle choices like going to bed at a certain time every night and waking up at the same time in the morning. If you suffer from sleep disorders like sleep apnea or snoring, for example, please consider talking to your healthcare provider to mitigate the issue.
Also, remember that your body heals while you sleep. A good night’s rest is essential for those suffering from adrenal fatigue or chronic stress.
Besides getting enough sleep, also limit your use of electronic screens for a few hours before bedtime. These include your laptop and television. The blue light may confuse your brain into not recognizing the fact it is night and that you should sleep.
Avoid Your Triggers
If you know your triggers, whether they include certain smells or certain foods, avoid them. Doing so may help reduce your risk of the next bout of cluster headaches or a migraine attack.
Cold Compresses
A cold compress, when applied to your neck or the area on the head affected, may help to reduce the pain intensity of a headache. It may also help address inflammation and restrict blood vessels. In so doing, it may help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with cluster headaches or migraines.
Supplements
Certain supplements may help reduce your risk of headaches or help in their management.
- Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 has a positive neuroprotective effect on the brain. Research also suggests that it may reduce the occurrence of migraines.7
- Vitamin B-Complex: This supplement may reduce the severity of headaches, especially migraine attacks.
- Magnesium: Low magnesium levels may contribute to headaches.8 Furthermore, low magnesium levels are also associated with low melatonin levels.
- Melatonin: Melatonin is important for proper circadian rhythm function and can help put people to sleep when they’re having a headache to soothe the pain.9
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has long been used in the East to deal with health issues. Placing needles on certain points on your head and neck may help reduce your risk of cluster headaches and migraines. This can help with the release of endorphins and may stimulate the production of certain hormones. If you can’t do acupuncture, you can use acupressure points to help prevent or abort headaches. This is a needleless way of putting pressure along the similar points to open up the energy pathways in the body.
Circadian Rhythms and Headaches: A Conclusion
Studies show that headaches are most common in the late evening and in the early hours of the morning. They were also associated with low melatonin levels and certain changes in circadian rhythm genes. However, when dealing with malfunctions of the circadian rhythm and headaches, it is possible to help reduce your risk without the use of medications. Maintaining good sleep hygiene, staying hydrated, acupuncture, and trying certain supplements may help you find relief.
If you would like to know more about the circadian rhythm and its influence on cluster headaches and migraines, the team at Lam Clinic can help. Contact us at +1 (714) 709-8000. We will privately address your concerns or questions.
