Surprising Facts about Migraine

• Migraine is a chronic condition. It usually begins as a dull ache, but becomes a constant throbbing or pulsing pain in your temples, or on one or both sides of your head. You may also feel a combination of:

NauseaVomitingSensitivity to light and noise

• 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraine1

That’s 1 out of every 8 American men or women3 times more women then men suffer from migraineMigraine most often affects people between the ages of 15 and 55

• An untreated migraine can last from 4 hours to 3 days2

• Migraine can affect your life at work, school, home, or play:3

More than 1 in 4 migraine sufferers have missed 1 day of work over the past 3 monthsAbout 1 in 3 migraine sufferers have to miss a family or social eventAlmost 1 out of every 2 sufferers can’t do household chores

• There is no definite answer to what causes migraine, but:4

When both parents have migraine, there is a 75% chance that their children will have migraine tooSometimes a food, drink, a change in the weather, your surroundings, or your mood can trigger a migraine attack

• Migraine is often underdiagnosed, undertreated, and misunderstood

• Because migraine symptoms are frequently mistaken or misunderstood,2

Migraine is often misdiagnosed as simple tension or sinus headachePeople who have migraine symptoms may not seek medical help due to denial, stigma, or the belief that nothing can be done

• Doctors recommend that people concerned about migraine should keep a “headache diary” (including how often, how long, and how severely headaches strike – and how you handle them)

Your provider or health plan can provide you with a Headache Diary Your filled diary can help your provider to diagnose, treat, and/or prevent future attacks

• At least 40% of migraine sufferers may be candidates for prevention therapy1

For More Migraine Information and Support

You are not alone if you think that you suffer from migraine and would like more information, advice, and support from others like you.

The following organizations and resources may be useful for you to contact by e-mail, phone, or letter.

American Council for Headache Educationwww.achenet.org 19 Mantua RoadMt. Royal, NJ 08061Tel: 856-423-0258 or toll-free 800-255-ACHE (255-2243)Fax: 856-423-0082The American Council for Headache Education (ACHE) is a non-profit patient / healthcare professional partnership dedicated to advancing the treatment and management of headache and to raising public awareness of headaches.

American Headache Societywww.ahsnet.org 19 Mantua RoadMount Royal, NJ 08061Tel: 856-423-0043 Fax: 856-423-0082 The American Headache Society (AHS) is a professional society of health care providers dedicated to the study and treatment of headache and face pain. AHS is affiliated with the ACHE patient organization above.

National Headache Foundationwww.headaches.org 820 N. OrleansSuite 217Chicago, IL 60610-3132Tel: 312-274-2650 or toll-free 888-NHF-5552 (643-5552)Fax: 312-640-9049The National Headache Foundation (NHF) is the oldest and largest organization of its kind. It serves as an information resource for headache sufferers, their families and healthcare professionals.

References:1. National Headache Foundation. American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study Fact Sheet. Available at www.headaches.org/consumer/AMPP/AMPPFactSheet.pdf. Accessed February 6, 2006.2. National Headache Foundation. Migraine topic sheet. Available at: http://www.headaches.org/consumer/topicsheets/migraine.html. Accessed December 29, 2005.3. National Headache Foundation. American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) Study Results. Slide presentation available from Verdana Research.4. National Headache Foundation. Categories of Headache. Available at: http://www.headaches.org/consumer/presskit/NHAW04/Categories_of_Headache.pdf. Accessed February 9, 2005.