Prevalence of Migraines

Overall, 35 million Americans suffer from migraine headaches, and 43% of women and 18% of men will experience migraines at some point in their lives. The majority of migraine sufferers are between the ages of 35-45. This difference between men and women is thought to be related to specific hormonal changes that are unique to women.

How Common Are Migraines?

For those who are dealing with migraines, it is important to realize that migraines affect millions of people worldwide. To better understand the prevalence of migraines, consider the following statistics from the Migraine Research Foundation:

• Migraines represent the world’s third most-prevalent illness.
• Migraines are the world’s sixth most-disabling illness.
• In the United States, approximately one in four households includes someone dealing with migraines.

If a person is struggling with migraine pain, it is important to meet with a doctor. At this point, a doctor can provide a migraine diagnosis and treatment.

How Common Are Migraines with Aura?

Approximately 25% of migraine patients experience aura, a common migraine stage. Migraine patients dealing with aura experience disturbances to one or more senses, with these disturbances lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to one hour or longer.

Aura often causes visual disturbances, including:

• Blurry vision
• Temporary vision loss
• Geometric patterns (such as zigzag lines)

Additionally, migraines with aura sometimes affect a person’s language or comprehension skills. They may also impact a person’s sense of taste or smell or disrupt hearing.

Although aura does not affect all migraine patients, an individual who experiences migraines with aura tend to experience the same aura symptoms any time he or she suffers a migraine attack.

How Common Are Chronic Migraines?

More than 4 million adults experience chronic migraine pain daily. An individual dealing with chronic migraines experiences at least 15 migraine headache days per month for three months or longer.

Chronic migraines are difficult to treat. In certain instances, doctors prescribe medications to treat chronic migraines, but certain medications cause intolerable side effects. Or, in some cases, medications have no impact on a person’s chronic migraines.

For people who have received a chronic migraine diagnosis but find that their current medications are ineffective, The Migraine Institute is available. Dr. Jonathan Cabin, a board-certified head and neck surgeon with dual subspecialty training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, meets with chronic migraine patients to learn about their symptoms. He then crafts a custom migraine treatment plan to help his patients achieve long-term migraine pain relief.

Dr. Cabin is available to meet with chronic migraine patients. To schedule a free consultation with Dr. Cabin, please call us today at 310.461.0303.