Berlin, August 19, 2020. More than one in eight young people in Germany (12.8 percent) suffers from a doctor-diagnosed headache - 15 percent of girls and almost 11 percent of boys. This is a result of the headache report that the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) presented today. Of the 15- to 19-year-olds suffering from headaches, around one in three (31 percent) has migraines. In children up to 14 years of age, 4.3 percent are affected by headaches.

“Headaches are also a big issue among children and young people. “That’s why parents should be sensitive here and carefully consider with a doctor when medication is necessary,” says Dr. Jens Baas, Chairman of the Board of TK. The TK evaluation shows: In 2018, almost 23 percent of children and adolescents between the ages of 0 and 19 were prescribed a painkilling medication when diagnosed with a headache. “It’s not about demonizing painkillers. But it is important to use it responsibly in order to avoid later dependencies. If you reach for paracetamol, ibuprofen etc. too quickly, you run the risk of damaging your body. A lot can also be achieved by adjusting your lifestyle; for example, exercise, relaxation and regular sleeping and eating times are important,” continues Baas.

One in eight adults has a headache at least once a week

A representative Forsa survey commissioned by TK shows that headaches are widespread among adults. This method was chosen because it is assumed that many adults do not go to a doctor when they have a headache. This is why the frequency is greatly underrepresented in the data from the health insurance companies. According to the survey, one in eight people have a headache at least once a week (12 percent), and another 21 percent say they suffer from headaches one to three times a month. It also becomes clear: headaches are “female”. 20 percent of women have a headache at least once a week, while four percent of men have it. 36 percent of female respondents stated that headaches made them feel very severe or severely restricted in their quality of life.

Painkillers are part of everyday life for many people

When they need painkillers, seven out of ten respondents use medications that are available over the counter at the pharmacy. The most “popular” ingredient is by far the active ingredient ibuprofen. Prof. Dr. Hartmut Göbel from the Kiel Pain Clinic reports: “Painkillers have become a food and are part of everyday life for many people. Even if it sounds paradoxical at first: if you take too many painkillers, you get headaches.” That's why it's important to follow the 10-20 rule: "Painkillers for migraines and tension headaches may be taken on fewer than ten days per month - and none on at least 20 days per month."

(Hidden) advertising for painkillers

The neurologist and specialist in special pain therapy criticizes the fact that manufacturers do not have to point out risks more clearly on the packaging of painkillers. Advertisements for painkillers also often suggest that they are a simple solution to improve performance. “But they are not an easy solution in the long term. It is extremely important that those affected deal with their headaches early on and learn how to deal with and prevent them,” says Göbel.  

The headache report also shows that the pharmaceutical industry's involvement in offerings such as patient forums, blogs and YouTube posts is often difficult to recognize. TK CEO Baas: “If you want to find out about headaches on the Internet, in many cases you can hardly separate neutral information from advertising. An example is headache tests, which result in a recommendation for a specific painkiller. That’s why it’s important to critically question contributions and tips.”

Headache knowledge for children

Knowledge and targeted prevention are important steps in the treatment of migraines and headaches. Planning your daily routine, diet, relaxation breaks, exercise and sleeping habits have a major influence on headaches and migraines. Regular meals and sufficient periods of balance and relaxation should therefore have a permanent place in the everyday lives of children and young people.

New headache advice book for children

The illustrator Eva Ernst and Prof. Hartmut Göbel illustrate this health-promoting behavior with the help of their joint children's book with an information section for parents “Goodbye headaches...be fit as hell”. The free book for children and young people, which the Kiel Pain Clinic published with the support of the Techniker Krankenkasse in August 2020, is available to anyone interested. It can be downloaded free of charge from the Internet or requested free of charge from the Kiel Pain Clinic with a stamped return envelope (see address below).

  • The book “Ade to Kopfschweh” can be downloaded free of charge as an online version at schreiklinik.de/kopfweh-ade
  • Or you can request a book version free of charge by sending a DIN A4 return envelope stamped and addressed with 1.90 euros to the Kiel Pain Clinic, Heikendorfer Weg 9-27, 24149 Kiel
  • Migraine app download: http://qrco.de/migraene-app

The numbers of those affected refer to children and young people who were diagnosed with headaches or migraines during a visit to the doctor. The complete headache report is available on the TK press portal (search number 2088710). Here you can also find further information about the report such as infographics and interviews.

The Forsa survey among 1,001 respondents was carried out on behalf of TK at the end of February and beginning of March 2020.