| Q: |
What is migraine like for elderly people?
| | A: |
Both men and women with migraine can expect to see their attacks
decrease in frequency in their later years. After menopause, the
frequency of migraine attacks significantly decreases unless the
individual is experiencing medication overuse headache
or if migraine was not associated with menopause. If migraine attacks
seem to increase or reappear late in life, another medical problem may
be aggravating the migraine condition.
|
| Q: |
How can other medical problems in elderly people aggravate migraine?
| | A: |
Medications used to treat medical conditions that commonly occur
in elderly people may trigger migraine attacks. Medications for heart
disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and urinary tract
problems are among those that may trigger migraine attacks.
|
| Q: |
Can I start having headaches in my “golden years?”
| | A: |
It is so rare for migraine to start after the age of 55 that the
onset of headaches after this age is almost always a signal that another
medical condition is present. If you are over 55 and start having
headaches it is unlikely, although not impossible, that the cause is
migraine. It is very important that you see your doctor about the
headaches.
|
| Q: |
If migraine is unlikely then what could cause headaches to start after the age of 55?
| | A: |
Headaches late in life may be associated with life-threatening
conditions such as brain tumors, aneurysms (weakened, bulging areas in
an artery wall), or inflammation of arteries. General medical problems
connected with aging, such as heart disease, lung problems, thyroid
disease, and many other illnesses can also be associated with the
symptom of headache.
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