Living with Pain

According to the American Council for Headache Education (ACHE), approximately 95 percent of women and 90 percent of men have had at least one headache during the past year. If you consistently have three or more headaches a week, you should notify your physician. Keep a diary of headache frequency, severity and triggers to help your doctor identify what type you have and how to help you.

Headache: Tension-Type
Description: Steady ache, usually affecting both sides of the head. Lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to several days.
Percentage of Adults Affected: Up to 90 percent

Headache: Migraine
Description: Throbbing or pounding pain that can target one or both sides of the head or the area behind the eyes. Associated with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. May be preceded by visual disturbances known as auras. Lasts anywhere from four to 72 hours.
Percentage of Adults Affected: About 12 percent (18 percent women; 6 percent men)

Headache: Cluster
Description: Severe but brief pain (lasting one to two hours) that typically focuses around one eye. Attacks occur in groups (clusters) for weeks or months.
Percentage of Adults Affected: Less than 1 percent (about 85 percent men)

Headache: Chronic
Description: Daily or near daily headaches for more than 15 days a month. Two of the most common types are tension-type and migraine.
Percentage of Adults Affected: About 4 percent