People with MS more than twice as likely to get headaches

People living with MS are more than twice as likely to experience headaches, including migraines, than people without the condition, according to new research from Greece. The study also found that headaches in people with MS tend to last longer, cause more intense pain, and lead to more frequent use of pain-relieving medication.

Researchers followed 96 people with MS and 96 healthy controls over two years, asking participants to record their headaches in diaries. Results showed that 60% of people with MS experienced headaches compared with 42% of those without MS. Migraines were particularly common, affecting nearly one in three people with MS, compared with one in six of those in the control group.

On average, people with MS experienced migraines lasting around 16 hours and occurring 5.5 days per month, compared with 11 hours and 2.9 days per month for the control group. They also reported higher pain intensity and took more medication to manage symptoms.

The study found similar rates of tension-type headaches in both groups, though attacks lasted longer for people with MS. Researchers said these findings highlight the need for greater understanding and improved management of headaches in people living with MS.