Helicobacter Pylori and Migraine
Helicobacter pylori, or h. pylori, is the sneaky bacteria known for causing ulcers. Usually, ulcers are caused either by this bacteria, or long term use of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen.
For many years researchers have been asking the question – does an h. pylori infection lead to more migraine attacks? And if so, could treatment lead to a better quality of life for migraine patients?
The research has been somewhat conflicting. But overall, it does seem more likely that migraine patients will have an h. pylori infection.
There are two sets of patients that may be tested – first, those who actually have ulcers. They are the ones who can benefit most from testing and treatment.
Second, those who are at high risk or who have had gastric cancer.
Now for the majority of the rest of us, testing and treatment has never been recommended. The fact is that many, many people seem to have the h. pylori bacteria, but most do not have any symptoms.
On top of that, the conflicting results of studies have not yet shown us exactly who may benefit, among migraine patients. It could be, for example, that h. pylori is more of a problem in patients who otherwise are at low risk of migraine (for example, they have no relatives with migraine – but h. pylori may be connected with the triggering of migraine symptoms).
A recent Mexican study into the gastrointestinal disorders related to migraine suggested that, in spite of the somewhat confusing past studies, there was at least enough evidence to support further research, and even testing of migraine patients (see Gastrointestinal disorders associated with migraine: A comprehensive review).
At the very least, if you’re a migraine patient at high risk for gastric cancer, or with ulcers, or you seem to be otherwise at low risk for migraine, you may want to ask your doctor about testing and treatment of h. pylori. Otherwise, it may not be a major factor for you, and you’re probably better to focus on other possibilities for the time being.
If you have been treated for h. pylori, have you seen any improvement in your migraine symptoms?
For more on treatment, see Helicobacter Pylori Infection Treatment & Management
JojoTheTweeter
10 October 2016 @ 2:40 pm
@migraine_blog Interesting read. I’m a chronic migraine sufferer who has had h. pylori twice. Was very ill both times.
28 April 2018 @ 6:52 am
Hi there,
I used to have severe migraine with aura over the past few years.. turns out just last year I was diagnosed with H. Pylori, losing weight and feeling consistently ill. My body wasn’t taking any useful nutrition from the food and so on- including B12 vitamin. I often saw visual disturbances and migraine attacks became more frequent. Since I’ve been treated and H. Pylori has been eradicated, I suffer from migraine less frequently and severely. I have been migraine free for 7 months, despite it also being in my family (genes). Hope this is helpful.