New research findings document for the first time the complex headache profile | Richard Wagner suffered from severe migraines with accompanying neurological disorders | The main torment of his life

Kiel/London/Phoenix For many years of his life, the composer Richard Wagner suffered from severe migraines, both with and without aura. New research documented the complex nature of his headaches in detail for the first time. Headache researchers at the Kiel Pain Clinic, led by Prof. Hartmut Göbel, Richard Wagner 's extensive descriptions of his headache symptoms in his numerous writings and personal letters. They also analyzed the complete diary entries of his second wife, Cosima Wagner. The study provides, for the first time, a detailed analysis of the clinical presentation of the headaches and the accompanying neurological symptoms. Richard Wagner himself described his complex headache disorder as the main torment of his life. Published today in the international journal " Cephalalgia " of the International Headache Society, the study makes a precise analysis of original sources on Richard Wagner's severe chronic migraines available for the first time.

In a recently published study, pain researchers in Kiel described, using the opera Siegfried from the Ring cycle as an example, how Richard Wagner incorporated his migraine suffering and accompanying neurological symptoms into his compositions. This led the researchers to their current analysis, in which they now document, for the first time, the original descriptions of the precise headache pattern, the neurological symptoms, and the impact of the illness on Richard Wagner's life and work. The extensive evaluations demonstrate that Richard Wagner's headache condition fully meets the current diagnostic criteria for migraine without aura and migraine with aura. Richard Wagner himself used the terms "nervous headaches" or "anxious headaches" to describe his headaches. The frequency and level of detail in the descriptions of the headache symptoms in both Richard Wagner's memoirs, writings, and letters, as well as in Cosima Wagner's diary entries, is surprisingly comprehensive. For decades, Richard Wagner suffered from severe headaches and neurological disorders, causing him significant health problems and posing a major health challenge for him and his family. This delayed the completion of his Ring by many years. The first documented instance of Wagner's severe headaches dates back to his 28th year, the last to his 67th. A particularly pronounced suffering from the headaches is evident between the ages of 30 and 51. Wagner's migraine attacks were characterized by intense, day-long headaches. Physical activity exacerbated the pain, and he frequently had to remain in bed. He also suffered from severe nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise and light. His headaches fully meet the current criteria of the International Headache Society for migraine. In addition, Wagner repeatedly complained of visual disturbances, including flashing lights with zigzag patterns and visual field defects, known as migraine auras. His creative power was particularly severely hampered by neuropsychological symptoms, which also occurred in the context of migraine auras.

His second wife, Cosima, described in her diary entries from January 1, 1869, to February 12, 1883, the Wagner family life, which was repeatedly and severely strained by headaches. She documented numerous headache attacks suffered by Richard, their children, and herself. Her descriptions of Richard Wagner's headaches correspond precisely with his own records. She identifies heavy workloads, stress, smells, tobacco smoke, and alcohol as triggers for his headaches. Cosima also meticulously documents her own migraine suffering, which forced her to stay in bed for days and withdraw from family life. She also sketches a multifaceted picture of a serious marital conflict between Cosima and Richard due to the migraines, with profound emotional repercussions.

Headache researchers in Kiel are discussing Richard Wagner's headache disorder in light of current scientific findings. Chronic migraine, and especially migraine with aura, leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack. Cardiovascular mortality can be elevated. Recent studies have twelve risk genes for migraine that can also contribute to an increased risk of heart attack. Richard Wagner suffered from severe circulatory disorders of the heart muscle. He died of a heart attack in Venice on February 13, 1873, at the age of 70. Modern migraine therapy according to today's standards might have given him a longer life and even more creative opportunities. The Wagner family's family and social life would also have been less burdened by his severe chronic migraine disorder with effective, modern treatment. Despite clear symptoms, Richard Wagner never received a correct diagnosis or effective migraine therapy during his lifetime. He frequently subjected himself to lengthy diets and water cures, without experiencing any relief. Richard Wagner constantly wore a head covering, even indoors. This was the only preventative therapy he knew of. The significance of chronic migraine for its severe impact on individual, family, and social life, as well as on culture and society, is vividly illustrated by Richard Wagner's detailed descriptions of his migraines.

Sources:

Link to the abstract in Cephalalgia (publication date March 28, 2014):
http://cep.sagepub.com/content/early/2014/03/24/0333102414527645.abstract

Göbel A, Göbel CH, Göbel H. Phenotype of migraine headache and migraine aura of Richard Wagner. Published online before print March 28, 2014, doi: 10.1177/0333102414527645 Cephalalgia March 28, 2014 0333102414527645

Full publication:
Göbel A, Göbel CH, Göbel H. Phenotype of migraine headache and migraine aura of Richard Wagner. Cephalalgia. 2014 Oct;34(12):1004-11. doi:
10.1177/0333102414527645. Epub 2014 Mar 28. PubMed PMID: 24682774.

Photo:

Bust of Richard Wagner in the Richard Wagner Museum in Tribschen, Lucerne, Switzerland (Photo: Anna Göbel)

Contact

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel
Pain Clinic Kiel
Heikendorfer Weg 9-27
D-24149 Kiel
Telephone +49 431 200 99 150
Fax +49 431 200 99 109
E-mail: hg@schmerzklinik.de
Web: https://schmerzklinik.de