The Relationship of Tobacco Use and Migraine: A Narrative Review.

Andrea H Weinberger, Elizabeth K Seng

Journal: Current pain and headache reports 2023;27(4):39-47

PMID: 36905552

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Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Tobacco use is associated with significant health consequences especially for people with medical conditions. Although lifestyle strategies (e.g., sleep, diet) are commonly recommended as part of migraine treatment, tobacco-related strategies (e.g., smoking cessation) are rarely included. This review is aimed at elucidating what is known about tobacco use and migraine and at identifying gaps in the research.

RECENT FINDINGS

The prevalence of smoking is higher among people with migraine, and people with migraine believe that smoking makes migraine attacks worse. There is also evidence that smoking may exacerbate migraine-related consequences (e.g., stroke). Very few studies have examined other aspects of smoking and migraine or tobacco products other than cigarettes. There are significant gaps in our knowledge of smoking and migraine. More research is needed to understand the relationship of tobacco use to migraine and potential benefits of adding smoking cessation efforts into migraine care.

Address: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA. [email protected].; Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. [email protected].; Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. [email protected].; Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, 1165 Morris Park Ave, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.; Department of Neurology, The Saul R. Korey, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.

DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01103-8