Health by the Numbers: Migraines Beacon NY

Although it affects approximately 36 million Americans a year, migraine is often mischaracterized. More than simply a bad headache, migraine is a disease, and the painful headaches associated with it are one of the condition's telltale symptoms. These headaches may be preceded or accompanied by flashes of light, blind spots, or tingling in the arms or legs, as well as nausea, vomiting, or extreme sensitivity to light.

Fortunately, the medical community's understanding of migraines has improved dramatically in recent years. While there's still no cure for the condition, certain lifestyle changes and/or medications can help decrease the frequency of attacks and the severity of their symptoms. Here, a look at migraines by the numbers:

• 18: Approximate percentage of U.S. women who currently suffer from migraine headaches, according to the American Medical Association

• 6: Approximate percentage of U.S. men who currently suffer from migraine headaches, according to the same source

• 70: Approximate percentage of migraine sufferers who do not seek medical advice or have not been properly diagnosed

• 15 to 55: Age group that migraines affect most, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• 4 to 72: Amount of time, in hours, that a migraine can last if left untreated

• 112 million: Number of days in bed that migraines account for each year, according to the American Medical Association. ...

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