Disturbed sleep increases migraines, study shows
24/06/2010
Chronic migraines are more likely to occur if a person has not had enough sleep, the latest research reveals.
A team of scientists at Missouri State University''s Center for Biomedical & Life Sciences determined the link, emphasising that quality sleep is important.
They found that existing chronic migraines are made worse by not getting enough rest, and that even those who had not previously suffered may be affected if they cannot sleep.
"We found that REM sleep deprivation caused increased expression of the proteins p38, PKA, and P2X3, which are known to play an important role in initiating and sustaining chronic pain," explained team leader Dr Paul Dunham.
The findings were presented at the 52nd annual scientific meeting of the American Headache Society, which took place in Los Angeles earlier this week.
A Travelodge survey recently found that workers are finding it difficult to get to sleep over worries about their jobs.
Posted by Elizabeth Mewes
