Migraine Awareness Week 2024: Understanding and Managing Migraines
17/09/2024
The start of September 1st brought a focus on raising awareness about migraines – a condition affecting millions yet often misunderstood.
What is a migraine?
Migraines are more than just headaches. They are a complex neurological condition recognized by intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, lasting from a few hours to several days. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Types of migraines:
- Migraines with Aura: Includes visual disturbances and other sensory issues.
- Migraines without Aura: The most common type, without the warning aura.
- Chronic migraine: involves 15 or more headache days per month
The impact of migraines:
Migraines affect 1 in 7 people globally. Significantly impacting daily life. This can lead to missed work or school, strained social interactions, and a reduced quality of life.
Understanding triggers and treatment:
Identifying and managing triggers is key to living with migraines. Common triggers include stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and environmental factors.
Treatment Options:
- Medications: From overthe-counter pain relievers to prescription drugs and new treatments like the CGRP inhibitors.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Regular exercise, hydration and consistent sleep schedules can help
- Alternative therapies: acupuncture, biofeedback, and mindfulness meditation may provide relief.
How you can help:
Migraine Awareness Week is an opportunity to support those affected and advocate for better understanding and treatment. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Educate Yourself and Others: learn and share information to reduce stigma.
- Support Migraine Research: Donate to organizations that fund research and support services.
- Advocate for Better Care: Join advocacy groups to push for improved healthcare policies.
Conclusion:
At Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham, we are committed to raising awareness and supporting those affected by migraines. Migraine Awareness Week 2024 is a time to come together, share knowledge, and advocate for better understanding and treatment.
Let’s make a difference together.
Check out this supportive report from Barking and Dagenham Post on why Migraine must be taken seriously as waiting times for treatment rise.
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