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. 2022 May;80(5 Suppl 1):204-213.
doi: 10.1590/0004-282X-ANP-2022-S106.

Headaches and obesity

Ida Fortini  1 , Bernardo Dror Felsenfeld Junior  1
Affiliations

Headaches and obesity

Ida Fortini et al. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2022 May.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Obesity and headache disorders are two very common conditions in the general population that have been increasing in incidence over the last decades. Recent studies have shown a significant relationship between obesity and headaches, particularly migraine, with an important role in whether the disease is chronic. On the other hand, no such association was found with tension-type headaches. Studies showing an overlapping of hunger-control pathways and those involved in the pathophysiology of migraine may justify the close association between obesity and migraine. Moreover, a secondary headache for which obesity is a strong risk factor is idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri), with several studies showing the impact of weight reduction/bariatric surgery in the treatment of the disease. In conclusion, since obesity is a modifiable risk factor, it is important for physicians treating patients with headaches, and particularly migraine, to be aware of the association between these two disorders.

Obesidade e cefaleias são duas condições muito frequentes na população geral e que vem aumentando em incidência nas últimas décadas. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado uma significativa relação entre obesidade e cefaleia, particularmente na enxaqueca, com papel importante na cronificação da doença. Por outro lado, não se observa tal associação com cefaleia do tipo tensão. Trabalhos que mostram uma sobreposição das vias de controle da fome e daquelas envolvidas na fisiopatologia da enxaqueca podem justificar a íntima associação entre obesidade e enxaqueca. Além disso, uma cefaleia secundária para a qual a obesidade é um forte fator de risco é a Hipertensão Intracraniana Idiopática (pseudotumor cerebral), inclusive com diversos estudos mostrando o impacto da redução do peso/cirurgia bariátrica no tratamento da doença. Concluindo, visto que a obesidade é um fator de risco modificável, é importante para os médicos que tratam de pacientes com cefaleia e, particularmente, enxaqueca, estarem cientes da associação entre essas duas comorbidades.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The is no conflict of interest to declare

Figures

Figura 1.
Figura 1.. Características metabólicas dos pacientes com Hipertensão intracraniana idiopática.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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