Headaches Steal 5.5% of Daily Life in Delhi-NCR
Headaches in Delhi-NCR are proving to be more than just an occasional nuisance. A new study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain reveals that adults in Delhi and neighbouring cities spend about 5.5% of their waking hours suffering from head pain. Researchers also estimate that nearly one in four adults, or 26% of the population, would benefit from professional medical care for their headaches.
Widespread Problem Across the Region
The study, led by Dr. Debashish Chowdhury from GB Pant Institute and Dr. Anand Krishnan from AIIMS, surveyed 2,066 adults between the ages of 18 and 65. Results showed that nearly 68% had experienced at least one headache episode in the past year.
On average, people lost about 10% of their daily time to moderate or severe pain. While migraines and tension headaches are common, it is chronic headaches, often linked to overuse of pain medicines, that cause the most disruption.
Which Types of Headaches Affect Daily Life Most?
- Chronic headaches: The most disabling, leading to 3.1% of time lost.
- Migraines: Affect 26% of adults and account for 2% of time lost.
- Tension-type headaches: The most common, impacting 34% of people, but responsible for only 0.5% of lost time.
The findings show that while migraines are more disabling than tension headaches, the constant nature of chronic headaches makes them the biggest threat to quality of life.
Gender Differences in Headache Burden
The study also found a clear gender gap:
- Women lost more time to both migraines (8.7% vs 6% in men) and tension headaches (2% vs 1% in men).
- Pain severity was rated higher by those with chronic or medication-related headaches (2.5 on a 3-point scale) compared with 2.1 for migraines and 1.4 for tension headaches.
This greater pain intensity meant larger disruptions to household duties, social activities, and overall quality of life, though the effect on paid work was less noticeable.
Impact on Health and Willingness to Pay for Relief
By applying disability weights from the Global Burden of Disease study, the researchers calculated that migraine alone causes 3.6% of individual health loss in the region. However, people with chronic headaches were found to be the most willing to pay for effective treatment, highlighting the heavy toll these conditions take on daily living.
Conclusion
The results underline that headaches in Delhi-NCR are not just common but also highly disruptive. They interfere with personal life, household responsibilities, and social well-being. Importantly, the findings also match earlier research from Karnataka, which showed that chronic headaches are more damaging than migraines or tension-type headaches. With millions losing hours of their daily life to pain, there is an urgent need for better awareness, timely medical care, and effective management strategies.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.