How common are migraine headaches?

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How common are migraine headaches?

Approximately 28 million people suffer from migraines in the United States alone.¹ Worldwide, migraines occur in up to 25% of women and up to 10% of men.²

Females are about 3 times more likely to develop migraines than males. Migraines are most common in adults (between ages 20 through 50) but become less severe and less frequent with age.¹ Migraines often begin in early to mid-adolescence.³ Even very young children can get migraines, both with and without an aura (neurological disturbance). Your risk of having migraines is greater if you have a family history of migraines.

References

Citations
Lipton RB, et al. (2002). Migraine in the United States: Epidemiology and patterns of health care use. Neurology, 58(6): 885–894.
Morillo LE (2006). Migraine headache, search date August 2003. Online version of Clinical Evidence (15): 1–16.
Wood AJJ (2002). Migraine: Current understanding and treatment. New England Journal of Medicine, 346(4): 257–270.

Credits

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Updated	July 3, 2007

Last updated:	July 03, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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