OVER 600,0000 Irish people suffer from migraine, which is at least twice more common among women than men, a new survey shows. Highlighting a 16 per cent incidence of migraine, the survey finds the condition is most common among married women in the 25 to 44 age bracket.
According to consultant neurologist Dr John Kirker, the survey of 1,047 people indicates a high migraine incidence in Ireland.
Carried out by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, the study shows farmers are less likely to be affected but those in the upper income brackets show a slightly higher incidence than the rest of the population.
Attacks can last from hours to days, with well over half lasting more than six hours. Women have longer attacks and more severe symptoms than men.
Sufferers are also affected by a variety of symptoms. Well over a third suffer from nausea and vomiting, and the same number have visual disturbances. Over 30 per cent suffer tiredness, are sensitive to noise, suffer a loss of power in the limbs, experience strange smells, tastes or sounds. A small number experience diarrhoea and speech difficulty.
More than half of those questioned said the condition had an overall negative impact on their lives. The same number were generally more irritable, with one in five finding it difficult to plan ahead and one in 10 often missing work. Ten per cent, said it but a strain on their relationships since others may believe they are feigning attacks.
Over three quarters of respondents took painkillers to relieve symptoms and well over half went to bed. "Medication has much to offer in terms of treating and preventing attacks," said Dr Kirker, speaking at the survey's introduction.
Dr Kirker said it might be possible to identify triggers to attacks. "These vary from individual to individual and can include dietary factors such as alcohol, chocolate, cheese and caffeine; variations in a person's daily routine; travelling through time zones; as well as menstruation and the oral contraceptive pill in some women," said Dr Kirker. The good news for sufferers was that migraine eases with advancing years.
Another consultant neurologist, Dr Janice Redmond, was not surprised by the numbers of people suffering from migraine and felt the figure of 16 per cent may be an underestimate.
"Migraine is a very common referral to a neurology clinic. For some people it is a big problem that alters their lifestyle, but for others it can be less severe - a bad headache three to four times a year. There are a number of treatments available," said Dr Redmond.