Migraine impacts 1 in 7 people worldwide. It is most common between the ages of 15 and 55 and is 3 times more common in women. Nearly 1 in 4 women are likely to have migraine. And surprisingly, nearly 1 in 11 children have migraine.
Over 10 million people in the UK are impacted by migraine – one of the most disabling conditions worldwide.
Migraine is the second most frequent cause of workplace absence in the UK and 60% of migraine patients report negative impact on relationships.
Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause, but many believe you are more likely to have migraines if it’s a part of your family history.
While the precise cause of migraine is unknown, it is believed to be the result of overstimulation or hyperexcitability in the part of the brain that controls sensory processing.
There are two main approaches to migraine care: stop migraines after they start (acute) or prevent them before they start. If you experience frequent migraine attacks, your health care provider may prescribe both acute and preventive treatments or STMS mini Migraine Therapy.
While each person experiences migraine differently, the impact almost always disrupts everyday life. The pain, exhaustion, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound make it difficult to function. Family time, important work, and recreational activities can all be disrupted by the symptoms of migraine and also by the side effects of medications used to treat or prevent migraine attacks.
The goal of treatment is to get back to our normal daily lives. But side effects with prescribed migraine medications can have their own debilitating side effects, including confusion, drowsiness, hair loss and weight gain. About 70% of migraine patients are not satisfied with or cannot tolerate the side effects of medications.
Migraine has a huge impact on society as a whole, resulting in a loss of productivity and an enormous financial burden. The annual economic impact of migraine in the United Kingdom is estimated to be nearly $8.8 billion.
$4.4 billion is lost in migraine-related sick days in the United Kingdom each year.
If you or a loved one are looking for information, education, or a supportive conversation about migraine and its impact, the trusted patient support organization below can help.
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