Headache Patterns and Prevalence in the Population
Almost 90% of the population experience occasional headache pain:
- 74% suffer from tension-type headaches
- 11% suffer from migraine headaches
- 0.4% suffer from cluster headaches
Many people suffer from more than one type of headache. For example, the prevalence of tension-type headaches is similar in people who suffer from migraines and those who do not suffer from migraines. In one study, tension-type headaches were reported by:
- 76% of people who did not experience migraines
- 83% of people who experienced migraines without auras
- 75% of people who experienced migraines with auras
Annually, people seeking treatment for headache pain account for 8 million consultations with physicians. Among 45 million Americans who experience chronic headaches, 23 million (ages 12 and older) experience severe migraine headaches.
- Several reports indicate that the prevalence of migraines in the population is increasing.
- Migraine headaches alone account for an estimated 157 million days lost from work.
- Among migraine sufferers, over 80% experience some degree of headache-related disability.
- Only 8% of migraine sufferers report that their migraines do not interfere with work performance, daily life, and social activities.
Migraine attacks are most common in people between the ages of 25 and 55.
- The proportion of people who experience migraines increases with age from childhood and reaches a peak at about age 40.
- After the age of 40, the proportion of people who experience migraines declines.
- Migraine symptoms often diminish in intensity, or even disappear, between the ages of 60 and 70.
A family link in migraine occurrence is observed; about 80% of people who experience migraines have family members who suffer from migraines.
