Representative studies show that 71% of Germans say they will suffer from headaches in their lifetime. The number includes all 367 different types of headaches known today. There are around 54 million people living in Germany who constantly have to endure headaches. Headaches can occur over long periods of life, often over 40-60 years. They lead to great suffering and significant restrictions on quality of life and ability to work.

The facts:

  • 900,000 people in Germany are affected every day. 100,000 people are unable to work and bedridden every day because of migraines.
  • Representative studies show that 71% of Germans say they will suffer from headaches in their lifetime.
  • If you want an absolute majority, politicians should take care of the people's headaches.
  • Migraine is the third most common disorder in the world (behind dental caries and tension headaches) with an estimated global one-year prevalence of 14.7% (i.e. about one in seven people).
  • Almost every third woman is affected between the ages of 30 and 40.
  • Migraines affect three times as many women as men.
  • Migraines are more common than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined.
  • Chronic migraine affects approximately 2% of the world's population.
  • On average, 8.3 million Germans take a headache tablet every day through self-medication.
  • 853 Triptan single cans, which are special migraine products for attacking, are taken in Germany on average every day in Germany
  • The number includes all 367 different types of headaches known today.
  • There are around 54 million people living in Germany who constantly have to endure headaches.
  • Headaches can occur over long periods of life, often over 40-60 years.
  • They lead to great suffering and significant restrictions on quality of life and ability to work.
  • The World Health Organization lists migraines as the number one most severely disabling disease up to the age of 50.
  • Headache disorders are responsible for more than 75% of all years of disability due to neurological diseases, including stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, among others [5].
  • More than half of those affected experience severe impairment as a result of the attacks.
  • Migraines often begin during puberty. It is most disabling between the ages of 35 and 45. But many young children are also affected. In recent years there has been a strong increase, particularly among children.
  • It is estimated that the German population loses 32 million working days due to migraines.
  • Severe migraine attacks are classified by the World Health Organization as among the most disabling diseases, comparable to dementia, paraplegia, which affects all four limbs, including both legs and arms, and active psychosis.
  • Migraines and chronic headaches are the second most common reason for short-term incapacity to work.
  • Incapacity to work due to migraines alone costs 3.1 billion euros per year in Germany, calculated based on 32 million days lost.
  • The number of days lost per year due to migraine in Germany alone corresponds to the annual working hours of 185,000 full-time employees with an estimated cost of 3.5 billion euros [8].
  • In addition, there is the loss of productivity of non -paid work in the household, in child rearing or in the care of relatives.
  • The risk of depression, anxiety disorders and suicide is up to 7 times higher in those affected than in healthy people.
  • The risk of circulatory diseases, heart attack and stroke is up to 2 times higher than in healthy individuals. This is particularly true for young women under 45 years of age.
  • It is scientifically proven that migraines have a genetic basis. 44 gene variants in 38 risk genes for migraine are now known.
  • The total annual cost of headaches for 18-65 year olds in Europe is 173 billion euros [11].
  • Less than 20% of those affected in Europe receive medical care,
  • Less than 10% receive guideline-based prevention or acute therapy [12].
  • Worldwide, on average only about two hours of information about headache diagnosis and treatment are offered during the six-year medical course.
  • One of the most common health problems treated with scientifically unsupported unconventional therapies is headache.

With the implementation of current knowledge in care, headaches and migraines could be successfully treated in most cases.