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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
[Headache in the elderly]
V M Reinisch1, C J Schankin, J Felbinger
1Oberbayerisches Kopfschmerzzentrum, Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Klinikum Grosshadern der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, München, Germany. veronika.reinisch@med.uni-muenchen.de
Schmerz (Berlin, Germany)
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Chronic headaches are common in older adults, with secondary headaches increasing with age. Treatment requires careful consideration of multiple medications and comorbidities in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Neurology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Chronic headache affects approximately 10% of women and 5% of men over 70.
- Primary headache incidence declines with age, while secondary headaches increase.
- Age-related changes alter migraine presentation, with less prominent vegetative symptoms and neck pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of headaches in the elderly.
- To identify common causes of secondary headaches in older adults.
- To highlight challenges and considerations in managing headaches in elderly patients with multimorbidity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological data and clinical presentations of headaches in the elderly.
- Analysis of age-related changes in primary and secondary headache syndromes.
- Discussion of common etiologies including space-occupying lesions, ophthalmological issues, autoimmune diseases, medication effects, and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- Secondary headaches, often mimicking tension-type headaches, become more prevalent in the elderly.
- Intracranial lesions, ophthalmological problems, giant cell arteritis, medication side effects, and withdrawal are frequent causes.
- Conditions like sleep apnea, hypertension, and hypothyroidism can cause headaches due to disturbed homeostasis.
- Facial neuralgias, such as trigeminal neuralgia, increase with age.
Conclusions:
- Headache management in the elderly necessitates careful attention to polypharmacy and drug interactions.
- Comorbidities like depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment require integrated, interdisciplinary treatment plans.
- Multimodal therapeutic approaches are essential for effectively managing headaches in older adults.
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