Scrolling on your phone for too long could leave people at higher risk of debilitating migraines, according to a new study.
Researchers at Taiyuan Central Hospital in China found that prolonged phone use was one of two habits associated with an increased risk of headache, along with eating large amounts of poultry.
Drinking coffee and consuming oily fish such as mackerel and tuna, on the other hand, were associated with a lower risk.
The study is the latest addition to link phone use to migraine, a serious and painful long-term condition that causes headache attacks, light sensitivity, fatigue and nausea.
A Turkish paper from earlier this year found that smartphone use increased both the duration and frequency of headaches in migraine patients.
Excessive phone use was also linked to poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in those with the condition.
Around six million people in the UK suffer from migraines. Most rely on painkillers to ease the agony or prescription medications (called triptans) that can shorten the duration of attacks.
In recent years, the NHS has begun to launch a number of revolutionary migraine medicines, known as calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors, which are highly effective in reducing the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Researchers at Taiyuan Central Hospital in China found that prolonged phone use was one of two habits associated with an increased risk of painful headaches.
A Turkish paper from earlier this year found that smartphone use increased both the duration and frequency of headaches in migraine patients.
But these medications are only offered to patients who have not responded to other treatments.
Experts advise migraine patients to identify the habits that trigger their attacks.
Stress, low blood sugar, and too much caffeine can increase the risk of migraines.
“For some, light or screen glare is a trigger, while for others, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders from prolonged screen time can contribute to an attack,” says Pippa Coulter, manager from British migraine charity The Migraine Trust.
“If seizures are frequently experienced after mobile phone use, it might be worth experimenting with screen brightness, adjusting text size if necessary, assessing posture during phone use, or monitoring how much screen time seems to cause problems.
“Taking regular breaks could help reduce the chance of triggering an attack.”