Managing your migraine during National Migraine Week
It’s National Migraine Awareness Week, and with an estimated one in seven people being affected by migraine around the world, charity The Migraine Trust is striving to let those affected know that they are not alone.
Though many may think migraine is just a bad headache, those affected know it can be so much worse. It can be draining, but there are things you can do to ward off an attack.
SYMPTOMS
The most common symptom is an intense headache, usually on one side of the head, accompanied by a throbbing sensation that worsens with movement. Other symptoms can include:
- Increased sensitivity to light and noise
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Poor concentration
#migraine pic.twitter.com/adY3mLiJ9Q
— Migraine Again (@MigraineAgain) August 9, 2018
TREATMENT
While there is no cure for migraine at the moment, there are plenty of things you can do to try and prevent an attack. Painkillers are your best friend: a dose of paracetamol or ibuprofen can be extremely effective if taken at the first signs of a migraine attack, as this allows it to be absorbed into the bloodstream in time to prevent it.
As with all headaches, staying hydrated is key. It is recommended men need to drink around two litres of water per day, and women need about 1.6 litres to ward off dehydration. Keeping a diary of what triggers your migraines can help you know what to avoid.
One more extreme treatment, being hailed as a miracle cure by some, is the daith piercing. While there is no medical evidence to prove that the piercing cures migraine, many who have decided to get it pierced swear by it, with some even claiming they haven’t had any symptoms since.
The location of the piercing, in the inner ear, corresponds to an acupuncture point, which makes sense as acupuncture is another form of treatment. That’s not to say that if you do get the piercings your symptoms will disappear, but there’s a chance it could help relieve them.
It’s almost Migraine Awareness Week! We're focusing on work this year and looking for examples of reasonable adjustments employers have made to help employees manage their migraine. DM us if you've a good example and happy for us to share it in the media/our website/social media. pic.twitter.com/4HiSSAOwhE
— The Migraine Trust (@MigraineTrust) August 15, 2018
Migraine can be debilitating, and often isn’t taken seriously as a medical condition, due to a lack of understanding surrounding the illness. If you’re affected by migraine though, there is help out there to get you through episodes, and try and prevent the next one.
For more information you can visit:
NHS
www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine
The Migraine Trust
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