Headache overview

Headache disorders

Headache disorders are one of the most common disorders of the nervous system. Characterised by recurrent headaches, these can be painful and disabling to sufferers.¹

Primary headache disorders may be due to migraine, tension-type headache or cluster headache. These are usually not due to an underlying disease or cause. Secondary headaches on the other hand occur due to the presence of a primary cause. Examples would be sinus infections, a concussion, dehydration, ear infections, high blood pressure and even medication-over use.²

A silent pandemic^1,3

It doesn’t matter where you are from or who you are, headaches are experienced throughout the world regardless of age, gender, race or income levels.
According to the World Health Organization, in 2015 an estimated ½ of the world’s population between the ages of 18-65 had experienced a headache at least once. That’s 1 in 2 people! Of that, 30% (3 in 10 people) suffer from migraines.
More recently (2018), a survey done of 24,000 people in 24 countries across the world found that 92% had experienced some form of pain and 94% of these experienced general headache, 83% had tension-type headache and 79% suffered a migraine attack.
The bottom line is that headache is a common problem and it affects more people than we know

Headaches impact all facets of our life

People who experience headaches not only suffer the physical pain but it also leads to a poorer quality of life and if severe or frequent, can exert a financial cost. Their family life, social life and employment may be affected especially when dealing with chronic headaches.²

According to the latest Global Pain Index survey conducted in 2020, 34% of the world’s population are in pain every day. Pain impacts the quality of life of many. 72% say pain decreases their quality of life. Globally, 4 in 5 of all workers admit they are less focused or less productive when in pain.³

Meet Brody

Image of a patient pain free from headache

Brody

Brody is a young executive working his way up the corporate ladder. With long workdays and tight deadlines, it’s not surprising he sometimes suffers from headaches. He’s seen his doctor about it and was glad to hear that these were nothing more serious than tension type headaches, though it impacts his life and work at times.

Brody needs something that works fast to relieve his headaches when he gets them. He also wants something gentle for his stomach, as regular meal times aren’t part of his lifestyle.

Learn more

Understanding headaches and migraine

Learn about the causes and triggers of headaches

Discover the causes and triggers for the more common types of primary headache disorders – tension-type headache and migraines.

Causes

How do they present?

Find out the signs and symptoms of tension-type headache and migraine. Learn to differentiate them and learn about “red flag” symptoms that indicate a referral to a doctor.

Signs and symptoms