Migraine

Who is affected?

Almost everyone, from young children to the elderly, has experienced an occasional headache. For many people, avoiding particular headache triggers is enough to reduce the frequency and severity of a primary headache or migraine.

Around 20% of women, 10% of men and 5% of children experience migraines. Migraines are most common in younger women, and typically begin in adolescence or young adulthood. Migraines run in families: 80% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine.

In children, primary headaches will usually last about 1 hour, and are often felt on both sides of the head in the forehead or temple area. It is important to separate a primary headache from a migraine in children: look for other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and/or noise.