Headache affects more than 50% of the world’s population, according to a recent study. Scientists call for better identification of the causes.
It is a disease that affects the daily life of people who are affected and which is often underestimated by those close to them. Headaches are pains of varying intensity that occur in one part of the head. If it is rare to consult when the pain manifests itself in an isolated way, scientists call for a better understanding of the causes. According to a new study published in the journal The Journal of Headache and Painone in two people in the world suffers from headaches at least once a year.
Disorders more common in women
To arrive at this conclusion, the team from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Norway, analyzed some 357 studies on the subject published between 1961 and 2020. It appears that 52% of the world’s population suffers from a headache. in a year, 26% tension headache, mild to moderate intensity, 14% migraine and 4.6% chronic headache for at least 15 years. These disorders are more often observed in women than in men, and in particular migraines.
“Compared to our previous report and global estimates, the data suggest that rates of headaches and migraines may be increasing,” said one of the study’s lead authors, Lars Jacob Stovner. In France, Health Insurance estimates that nearly 11 million people are affected by migraine, about 12% of adults and 5 to 10% of children.
Several genetic variants have been identified as favoring the onset of migraine. However, other factors can favor the triggering of a crisis such as overwork, a change in weather or food or even emotional variations.