Migraines Headaches Affect Family Life: Study

Migraine headaches affect family relations and sex life of couples, according to a new study.

Migraine headaches are a throbbing sensation or pulsating pain on one side of the head and its symptoms include nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound. Experts at the Montefiore Headache Center in New York found that even if one person suffers migraine headaches, it takes a toll on the entire family's daily activities and affects the patient's sexual relations and work life too.

"I hear firsthand about the tragic effect that chronic migraine has on every aspect of people's lives, including work and home life," said Dawn Buse, a clinical psychologist and director of behavioral medicine at the Montefiore Headache Center in New York City, reports the WebMD.

In the study, researchers surveyed about 1,000 people, which included 812 women, who frequently suffered such headaches. The spouses and children of the participants were also interviewed to note their responses and emotions regarding the family member's migraine headaches.

Around 75 percent of the subjects said their partners would make better spouses if they didn't experience repeated episodes of headache. Nearly 60 percent agreed they would have been better care givers if they didn't have migraine. Majority of relatives and family members were worried about their parent's or partner's health condition and often felt depressed and guilty. The pain and discomfort made many families engage less in social activities or go on family vacations.

The study found that the time the patients spent with their spouses also reduced by seven days in a month. However, it was seen that women were less likely to miss their work because of headaches as compared to men.  The authors believe that this might be because women have high pain tolerance level or because they cannot escape responsibilities. Therefore, they must endure pain to participate in family activities too.

"I think the results may surprise some who hold the view that migraine is 'just a headache' and hopefully shed light on the far-reaching effects of this debilitating condition," said Elizabeth Loder, chief of the division of headache and pain at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, reports the WebMD.

The research was presented at the American Headache Society in Los Angeles.