Women are at a much higher risk of headaches than men.
The researchers found that 6%, or just over one in 20, experience headaches at least half a month, compared with 2.9% in men.
Their review of global headache rates also concluded that women are twice as likely to have migraines as men.
They found that 17% of the women experienced migraines, which can last up to three days and lead to vomiting, and are sensitive to light and noise. But migraine affects only 8.6% of men.
Researchers found that 6%, or just over one in 20, suffer from headaches at least half each month compared with 2.9% of men (stock image)
Hormonal changes may be one of the reasons women are more affected, as any fluctuation in estrogen can trigger a pain in the head.
The Norwegian University of Science and Technology study looked at 357 headache studies from the 1960s to the present day.
Researchers estimate that about 1 in 6 people worldwide experience a headache on any given day.
Published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, the review found that people in high-income countries report increased rates of headaches, although that may be because more research has been done. in rich countries.
Professor Lars Jacob Stovner, who led the study, said: ‘Women suffer more than men from the most annoying headaches – migraines and headaches that last 15 or more days a month.
‘This is important because the unpredictable and frequent severe headaches make it very difficult to deal with life responsibilities like going to work or taking care of the family.’
The different studies’ methodology may provide some unreliable data on headaches, the authors say, making it impossible to be certain whether the problem is on the rise.
But Prof Stovner said: ‘We find that rates of headache disorders remain high worldwide and that the burden of different types can affect many people.
‘We should be trying to reduce this burden through better prevention and treatment.’
Changes in hormones could be one of the reasons women are more affected, as any fluctuation in estrogen can trigger a pain in the head (stock image)
Source: | This article originally belonged to Dailymail.co.uk
