NATIONAL (NBC) - A new study published in the Journal of Neurology finds that people who have migraines may have less memory loss over time than people who do not suffer from the excruciating headaches.

More than 30 million Americans suffer from migraines - the horrendous headaches that can make your face, cheekbones and even your teeth hurt.

The study included 1,500 people who were given tests 12 years apart.  Migraine sufferers performed worse at the start of the study, but over time their memory declined close to 20 percent less than people without migraines.

Researchers said medications along with changes the patients made in their diet and behavior  may have helped protect their memory. But they also believe brain activity of people with migraine headaches may play a role. 

While researchers are not ready to say migraine sufferers have better memory, the study is one more step in understanding the full impact of the potentially debilitating condition.