Migraine Onset in Older Adults. Although uncommon, late-life migraine occurs in about 1% of the population, usually in men. In such cases, it often occurs as migraine with visual disturbances but without headache.
Family History
Migraine headaches can be inherited. If both parents suffer from migraines, their children have a 75% chance of getting them. When only one parent gets migraines, there is a 50% chance that children will be afflicted.
Ethnic Differences
Caucasians have a higher risk than either African Americans or Asians. Worldwide, one study reported that migraines are most common in North America. They are slightly less prevalent in South America and Europe and far less common in Asia and Africa. Investigators believe that the differences are due to genetic variations, not lifestyle factors.
Other Medical Conditions Associated with Migraines
People with migraine have a higher incidence of other medical conditions, including:
- Asthma and allergies. These conditions have also been associated with a higher risk for conversion from having periodic migraines attacks to a chronic form (transformed migraines).
- H. pylori infection. People who are infected with the bacteria H. pylori, the major cause of peptic ulcers, are at higher risk for migraines.
- Epilepsy. Patients with epilepsy are twice as likely to have migraines as the general population.
- Fibromyalgia
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Raynaud's syndrome
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Narcolepsy
Personality Traits
One study suggested that women with migraines tend to over-respond to stressful situations. In the study, they were more likely than other women to be diligent, conscientious, and overly sensitive to pressure from others. More likely, however, a person's family history of migraine, rather than any personality trait, is the important risk factor.
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