Experts Say Just Half of Migraine Sufferers Seek Help

Powerful new treatments for migraines are available and even better ones should come soon, but only about half of all sufferers in the United States ever see their doctors about the problem, specialists say.

Currently, only 3% to 5% of migraine sufferers get drugs to prevent headaches, and about half stop seeking care, partly because they are dissatisfied with their therapy, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reported at a conference in Bethesda earlier this month.

A recent survey of doctors conducted by the World Health Organization placed an acute migraine attack in the highest category of disabling illnesses.

An estimated 28 million Americans (18% of women and 6% of men) suffer from migraines.

According to the American Academy of Neurology, whose treatment guidelines are available online at https://www.aan.com, treatments for managing the pain of an acute attack and preventing an attack are available.