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15 Diseases, disorders and syndromes that go along with Migraine

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What is comorbid with migraine, and what does that mean?  Comorbidity basically refers to two conditions that tend to go together.  That doesn’t mean that one caused the other.  In fact, we usually don’t know why they go together.

Comorbid with Migraine - is there a link?

It could be there’s a common cause, or maybe one could cause the other.  It could be something in the environment, or something genetic, or even a coincidence.

But, of course, when we see the same diseases going together over and over, the coincidence hypothesis eventually goes out the window.

What we do know is that the two (or more) things interact.  Sometimes there can be a common treatment.  Sometimes it means that you can’t take a certain medication, because it may increase your risk of something else.

So it’s important to think about what you may have on top of migraine disease, and it’s important to talk to your doctor about it.

Now there’s a great deal of debate when it comes to migraine comorbidity.  Most of these have pretty good research behind them, but sometimes research conflicts and there’s debate about whether a certain thing should be in the list.

But for what it’s worth, here are 15 common diseases, disorders and syndromes that tend to go hand in hand with migraine.  That does not mean you will definitely have any of these . . . just that they seem to be more common in migraine patients than the general population.  Ones that seem to be more common come first:

  1. Depression
  2. Anxiety
  3. Stroke
  4. Cardiovascular Disease
  5. Hypertension
  6. Epilepsy
  7. Fibromyalgia
  8. Thyroid Disease
  9. Mania/Bipolar Disorder
  10. Panic Attacks
  11. Raynaud’s syndrome
  12. Restless Leg Syndrome
  13. Essential Tremor
  14. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  15. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome


Now wait – did I miss one that you’re familiar with?  Or have you found one or more of the 15 to be true of you?  Leave a comment, and let us know how knowing this has helped or hindered in your treatment.

And if you’re thinking about the connection for the first time – talk to your doctor!

Why the treatment isn’t working – recent study

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There’s reason to be optimistic – for some.  That’s what a Danish study in a Neurology article last month tells us.

This study started in 1989.  Groups of migraine and tension headache sufferers were evaluated, and then reevaluated in 2001.  Of the migraineurs, 27% had experienced remission.  There was improvement among the rest as well.  Of the tension headache sufferers, 45% had a maximum of 14 headaches per year.  That’s great for them, but why are they doing well when others aren’t?  The interesting part of the study is what the others had in common.

Common factors among those who weren’t responding well to treatment?  Of the migraineurs, the ones who were not responding well to treatment were the ones with a high frequency of migraine, and those whose migraine attacks started before they were 20 years old.

Of the tension headache patients, the ones who had a poor outcome from thier treatment were again those who had lots of headaches, also those who had coexisting migraine, sleep problems, and – a lack of . . . marriage.  That’s right.

There’s lots of good news, of course.  For example, migraine treatment has come a long way since 1989, and even since 2001.  Also, these are more clues to help us help those who are still suffering.  What’s the connection to sleep?  Recently I was reminded of the sleep problems of a condition that often comes hand in hand with migraine – fibromyalgia.  What’s the connection?

It may be worth considering some of the other symptoms you’re dealing with.  Look at things from another standpoint, and talk to your doctor.  And remember, one study is no reason to rush out and get married!

The authors of the study are optimistic – they feel the results overall prove that most people are getting successful treatment.  May you and I be among them!

Fibromyalgia

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Earlier this month I mentioned another disorder that seems to be related to migraine – restless leg syndrome.  Now if you check out the Migraine and Headache Dictionary you’ll find another – Fibromyalgia.  Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are so much like other illnesses.  However, there are specific tests that can be done by an informed physician.  New brain imaging techniques may help us to understand exactly what is going on in this particular chronic pain problem.  Hopefully fibromyalgia, along with headaches, will soon be history.

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Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of each article, and to point you to further sources of information. However, this site is for informational purposes only and should never replace a visit to your doctor.