• Text size
  • A
  • A
  • A
Your spotlight on local services
menu

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.

Migraine | NHS inform

  1. Home - The Migraine Trust
  2. Migraine and other headache disorders (who.int)
  3. Migraine - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Recent

Healthwatch Barking and Dagenham
Lifeline House
25 Neville Road
Dagenham, Essex RM8 3QS