Headache & Migraine

Children who suffer head trauma can experience headaches months after the injury, with girls more apt to have them than boys, a new study finds.

Overview

Headaches are four times more prevalent in women and often linked to hormonal fluctuations. The frequency and severity of headaches declines with advancing years. Migraines are more common in adult women than in men, often occurring just before or during menstrual periods and usually waning after menopause. A migraine sufferer usually has his or her first attack between the ages of 19 and 30 years. People with primary headache, such as tension-type, migraine or cluster headache will usually have a normal physical examination. Keeping a headache diary may help to identify headache triggers, and is also useful for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. Symptoms of a migraine include intense, throbbing pain in the forehead, temple, ear, jaw or even around the eye. It usually starts on one side of the head, but eventually spreads to the other side. It is sometimes preceded by an aura. The migraine is often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. Each instance lasts two to 72 hours – averaging 12 to 18 hours – and may be incapacitating enough to disrupt daily activities.