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FAQs*
COMMON MIGRAINE QUESTIONS
What is migraine?
Migraine is more than a headache. It is a disorder that affects the brain, as well as the nerves found throughout the spinal cord and the rest of the body, and it causes intense pain on one side of the head.1,2 Migraine attacks usually include symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound.3 Generally, there are 2 common types of migraine: migraine with aura and migraine without aura.2 Aura causes people to see flashes of light, bright spots or feel a tingling in an arm or leg.3 About 25 - 30% of people with migraine have it with aura.4
What are the stages of migraine?
Migraine can work through 4 key stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and postdrome. But not everyone who has migraine goes through all stages.3
Are men and women impacted equally?
No. Around 3 times more women than men have migraine.5 1 out of 4 women will have migraine attacks at some point in their lives.6
What to know about migraine post-pregancy.
It's estimated that 25% of women will have a migraine attack within 2 weeks of giving birth, and up to 50% of women will have one within a month of giving birth.7
What type of doctor should I talk to about migraine?
If your headaches are frequent or you experience other migraine symptoms, it can be helpful to talk with your GP. Your GP can ensure that you are on the most appropriate treatment for your migraine. In some cases, your GP may need to refer you to a neurologist, a specialist who treats diseases of the brain and spinal cord.
How many people globally are impacted by migraine?
Migraine affects more than one billion individuals each year across the world, and is one of the most common neurologic disorders.
Is migraine hereditary?
It is estimated that up to 80% of people with migraine have close family members who also live with migraine.10
Can migraine frequency and severity change over my lifetime?
As people living with migraine age, migraine attacks may become less frequent and less severe. They may also experience decreased sensitivity to noise, light, and smells.11
Do I need a formal diagnosis to get treated for migraine?
It is advisable to check in with your GP, our Doctor Discussion Guide can help you to prepare for your next conversation.
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References: 1. Association of Migraine Disorders. Causes of migraine – what we know so far. Accessed December 11, 2023. https://www.migrainedisorders.org/migraine-disorders/migraine-causes/. 2. NHS. Migraine. Updated September 15, 2022. Accessed December 11, 2023. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/. 3. Mayo Clinic. Migraine symptoms and causes. Updated July 7, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201. 4. American Migraine Foundation. Understanding Migraine with Aura. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-migraine-aura/. 5. Al-Hassany L, Haas J, Piccininni M, Kurth T, Maassen Van Den Brink A, Rohmann JL. Giving researchers a headache: Sex and gender differences in migraine. Front Neurol. 2020;11:549038. 6. Migraine.com. How Common is Migraine. Updated March 2021. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://migraine.com/migraine-statistics. 7. American Migraine Foundation. New Moms with Migraine: Understanding Postpartum Headache. Published January 25, 2018. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/postpartum-headache/. 8. HSE.ie. Migraine Diagnosis. Published 16th August 2024. Accessed on 06th November 2024. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/migraine/diagnosis/#:~:text=There is no specific test,to get an accurate diagnosis. 9. Amiri P, Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, et al. Migraine: A review on its history, global epidemiology, risk factors, and comorbidities. Front Neurol. 2022;12:800605. 10. Cleveland Clinic. Migraine headaches. Updated January 23, 2024. Accessed February 21, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5005-migraine-headaches. 11. American Headache Society. How Migraine Evolves with Age. Accessed December 12, 2023. https://americanheadachesociety.org/news/migraine-evolves-age/#:~:text=Headaches might become less frequent,light and smells over time
*FAQs = Frequently Asked Questions