‘Women more prone to migraine than men’

One out of every seven adults and one out of 10 children worldwide suffer from migraine globally but unfortunately Pakistan’s adult numbers are higher than average, said Virginia Tech University Assistant Professor Dr. Muhammad Ismail Khalid Yousuf.

While addressing a seminar titled “Migraine and Headache Awareness” at Dow University of Heath and Sciences (DUHS) via online link from the US, Dr Ismail said that according to a study, globally , in 2017, the prevalence of migraine in one year in Pakistan is estimated to be 22.5%.

Regarding headaches in children, Dr Ismail said that headaches in children and adolescents is the third most common cause of school absenteeism, which can cause problems in quality of life, recreational activities, personal life and studies.

He said that with a recurrent headache that lasts for one or more days, this pain usually occurs in 30% of children. He said that the triggers of migraine include hormonal changes in women, tension, and stress, changes in sleeping hours, weather, bright light or noise.

He said that women are more prone to migraines than men. He said that those children who suffer with headache at an early age are more likely to develop mental health problems when they grow up.

Speaking of the psychosocial causes and impacts of migraine, he said that the exposure to interpersonal violence, with neglect or abuse in early age has been posed as potential trigger of headache in adolescents and adults.