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28 million Americans (NINDS) ... see also overview of Migraine.
approx 1 in 9 or 10.29% or 28 million people in USA [Source statistic for calcuation: "28 million Americans (NINDS)" -- see also general information about data sources]
14 million undiagnosed ... see also misdiagnosis of Migraine.
approx 1 in 19 or 5.15% or 14 million people in USA [about data] ... Note: this rate calculation uses the following statistic: 14 million undiagnosed
Migraine headaches affect 28 million Americans, 75 percent of whom — roughly 21 million people — are women. (Source: excerpt from Migraine Update: NINDS) ... 20 million women in the U.S. suffer from headaches; 9 million of whom suffer debilitating migraines. (Source: excerpt from MIGRAINE HEADACHES: NWHIC)
Despite the fact that 1 in 4 households in the United States have someone affected by migraine headaches, migraine is still not considered by many employers and insurers to be a legitimate medical problem. Migraine, however, can cause significant disability and costs the American taxpayers $13 billion in missed work or reduced productivity annually. (Source: excerpt from Migraine Update: NINDS)
The following statistics relate to the prevalence of Migraine:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Migraine.
Most chronic headaches result from tension (muscle contraction), which may be caused by emotional stress, fatigue, menstruation, or environmental stimuli (noise, crowds, or bright lights). Other possible causes include glaucoma; inflammation of the eyes or mucosa of the nasal or paranasal sinuses; diseases of the scalp, teeth, extracranial arteries, or external or middle ear; muscle spasms of the face, neck, or shoulders; and cervical arthritis. In addition, headaches may be caused by vasodilators (nitrates, alcohol, and histamine), systemic disease, hypoxia, hypertension, head trauma and tumor, intracranial bleeding, abscess, or aneurysm.
The cause of migraine headache is unknown, but it’s associated with constriction and dilation of intracranial and extracranial arteries. Certain biochemical abnormalities are thought to occur during a migraine attack. These include local leakage of a vasodilator polypeptide called neurokinin through the dilated arteries and a decrease in the plasma level of serotonin.
Headache pain may emanate from the pain-sensitive structures of the skin, scalp, muscles, arteries, and veins; cranial nerves V, VII, IX, and X; or cervical nerves 1, 2, and 3. Intracranial mechanisms of headaches include traction or displacement of arteries, venous sinuses, or venous tributaries and inflammation or direct pressure on the cranial nerves with afferent pain fibers.
Affecting up to 10% of Americans, headaches are more common in females and have a strong familial incidence.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
WNV is transmitted to humans by the bite of a mosquito (primarily the Culex species) infected with the virus. It's considered the primary vector for WNV and the source of the August 1999 outbreak in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on birds contaminated with the West Nile virus and then transmitting it to humans and animals during a blood meal or “bite.” (See Transmission routes of West Nile virus, page 256.)
Ticks have been found infected with WNV in Africa and Asia only. The role of ticks in the transmission and maintenance of the virus remains uncertain, and to date they aren't considered vectors for WNV in the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that there is no evidence that a person can contract the virus from handling live or dead infected birds. However, avoid barehanded contact when handling dead animals, including birds, and use gloves or double plastic bags to dispose of a carcass. Report the finding to the local health department.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Under favorable conditions — warmth, moisture, sandy soil — hookworm or roundworm ova present in feces of affected animals (such as dogs and cats) and hatch into larvae, which can then burrow into human skin on contact. After penetrating its host, the larva becomes trapped under the skin, unable to reach the intestines to complete its normal life cycle.
The parasite then begins to move, producing the peculiar, tunnel-like lesions that are alternately meandering and linear, reflecting the nematode’s persistent and unsuccessful attempts to escape its host.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Headache prevalence increases toward 80% by age 15. Migraines may start by age 6–7. Between 3% and 5% of prepubertal children are affected; 2–3-year-olds may also have headache or “migraine equivalent” symptoms: Episodic vomiting, episodic ataxia that improves after sleep. Many youngsters may also suffer from chronic daily headache (a primary headache).
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
The term 'prevalence' of Migraine usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Migraine at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Migraine refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Migraine diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.
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Copyright © 2010 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 9 February, 2010 (3:53)
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