If you have ever experienced a migraine headache, you know all too well how painful and incapacitating they can be. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine headaches are the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world, and the 6th most debilitating illness. The month of June is dedicated to migraine awareness – educating sufferers, raising funds for research and working toward a better understanding of these headaches and how to alleviate pain in those who experience them.
Migraines disproportionately affect women, specifically those ages 25-55, but can also occur in children: more in boys before puberty and then as adolescence moves on girls begin to be affected more. As we age, the prevalence of migraines decreases, so senior citizens experience them less. Only 2-10% of the elderly population suffers from migraines as opposed to 28% of people under age 65. However, there are cases of new-onset headaches in the elderly which can be worrisome; the risk of serious secondary disorders in people over the age of 65 is 10 times higher than in younger people.
In addition to degrading the quality of life for sufferers, migraines also increase the risk for other physical and psychiatric conditions. Headaches commonly accompany strokes, and again, more often affect women, especially women with a history of prior recurrent headaches. For seniors who still suffer from migraines, treating them can be difficult due to the additional conditions and medications they might already be on due to other diagnoses.
Senior citizens may begin to experience tension-type headaches following a major life change: things like retirement, death of a spouse or moving into a new living environment can be triggers that may cause headaches in someone who has never before had them.
Anyone who begins to experience migraines after the age of 50 should see a doctor to ensure there is not another diagnosis that requires treatment. Headaches in the elderly can be a symptom of an underlying problem and should be addressed by a doctor to see if there are other medical concerns. On the flipside, headaches may be a side effect of other medications the person is taking. Talking to your doctor about these headaches will help them determine how to adjust other medications that may be causing the headache pain.
