June is observed as the National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month in the USA. According to the World Health Organization estimates, headache disorders are one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. Nearly 50 per cent of the adult population across the globe suffers from diverse forms of headaches every year making it a cause of concern for public health. Among these, migraine is a primary headache disorder which affects women disproportionately and remains to be widely under-diagnosed impacting the quality of life of millions. Recent studies also report a rise in frequency and intensity of migraines in patients amid the pandemic.

Mid-Day spoke to Dr. K. Ravishankar, consultant in-charge of the headache and migraine clinic at Jaslok Hospital and Lilavati Hospital to better understand this widely prevalent medical condition. “Worldwide, migraine affects 10 to 12 percent of the population, yet remains neglected and under-diagnosed. The prevalence of migraine is higher in women compared to men. We do not have exact numbers from India, but the prevalence is near similar,” explains Ravishankar. 

Below, the globally recognised specialist in headache medicine and former trustee of the International Headache Society (IHS) answers a few important questions on migraine.