Brain doctor shares everyday habit that might be 'first sign of migraine'
A migraine is a complex neurological disorder that can cause many symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and acute sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
A brain specialist has revealed the everyday symptom many people encounter regularly that could in fact signal a migraine is imminent.
Migraines are a "complex neurologic disorder with multiple stages" usually marked by intensely painful, incapacitating and recurrent headaches. The discomfort of a migraine is severe and predominantly affects one side of the head.
It can intensify with movement and is frequently accompanied by nausea and can result in vomiting. Numerous sufferers also experience acute sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
The NHS warns people may experience various symptoms at the beginning of a migraine attack, heralding its onset.
Symptoms can include "feeling very tired and yawning a lot, craving certain foods or feeling thirsty, changes in your mood, a stiff neck" and even "peeing more".
One of these typical migraine indicators was explored in detail by Jessica Lowe MD, a neurologist and epileptologist who shares content on social media under the name Doctor Brain Barbie.
In a recent TikTok video, she concentrated on yawning and its possible connection to the beginning of a migraine.
Speaking directly to the camera, Jessica began: "Fun fact - excessive yawning can be a symptom of migraine and, no, it's not necessarily because you're tired."
She continued: "For many patients, frequent yawning is actually a part of the 'prodrome phase', which is the earliest stage of a migraine attack that can occur hours and sometimes days before the headache begins.
"One of the key brain regions involved in this phase is the structure called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus helps regulate things like sleep, wakefulness, appetite, body temperature, hormone release and many other automatic functions within the body."
The expert explained "brain imaging studies have shown activation of the hypothalamus very early during migraine attacks before the pain phase begins".
She described this as "particularly relevant" because numerous "symptoms migraine patients experience during the prodrome phase are functions that the hypothalamus helps regulate".
These include "yawning, food cravings, fatigue, changes in mood, difficulty concentrating, increased thirst and even neck discomfort", mirroring guidance provided by the NHS.
@doctorbrainbarbie Did you know excessive yawning can be a symptom of migraine? ?????? For many patients, frequent yawning isn’t just a sign of being tired. It can actually be part of the prodrome phase, the earliest stage of a migraine attack, occurring hours or even days before the headache begins. As part of Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, we’re talking about the symptoms, stages and science of migraine that don’t get discussed nearly enough. What other migraine symptoms should we cover this month? Let me know in the comments. ??????⚡️ ⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. #migraine #migraineawareness #migraines #brainhealth #neuro ♬ original sound - Doctor Brain Barbie ??????
Dr Lowe continued: "Yawning is also closely linked to dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, movement and arousal.
"So when dopamine pathways are activated, yawning can occur - and we know that dopamine signalling appears to be altered in migraine.
"In fact, migraine patients can be unusually sensitive to dopamine which may help explain why symptoms like yawning, nausea, food cravings, changes in alertness, can occur before the headache phase."
The doctor suggested if you ever notice yourself "yawning repeatedly for no obvious reason", it doesn't automatically indicate you're exhausted and in need of a caffeine boost.
Dr Lowe added: "For some migraine patients, it may be one of the first signs that a migraine attack has already begun so remember, a migraine attack doesn't necessarily start when the headache starts.
"The headache is just one phase of a neurologic process that may have been developing in the brain for hours or even days because migraine is a complex neurologic disorder with multiple stages - and the pain is only one part of the story."
