Sunday 2 to Saturday 8 September 2012 is Migraine Awareness Week. The University Occupational Health Service is supporting the event will some helpful advice.
Could you have migraine?
Migraine is often much more than just a headache. It is in fact a neurological condition which can have an effect on the whole body, resulting in many symptoms, sometimes without a headache at all.
One in seven people in the UK is affected by migraine. Although there is no cure, there are a variety of techniques to manage the condition.
Migraine attacks can last anywhere between four and 72 hours and on average a sufferer can have 13 per year.
Signs
- intense, throbbing headache, often on one side of the head
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhoea
- increased sensitivity to light, sound, smells
- neurological/aura symptoms – visual disturbance (blind spots, distorted vision, flashing lights, zigzag patterns)
- tingling/pins and needles in limbs
- inability to concentrate
- confusion
- difficulty speaking
- paralysis
- loss of consciousness (in very rare cases)
There are five stages to a migraine attack
Warning stage – mood change, tiredness, unusual hunger or thirst in the 48 hours before a migraine.
Aura – usually begins before the headache starts and lasts for an hour.
Main stage – the headache is present with other symptoms such as nausea/vomiting.
Resolution – the pain gradually eases and may disappear completely. The sufferer will often feel lethargic.
Recovery – It can take a few days to recover after a migraine.
Common causes/triggers
- stress or the relief of stress
- hunger or infrequent meals
- specific food types (particularly caffeine, tyramine, alcohol, monosodium glutamate)
- changing sleep pattern
- hormonal factors
- over tiredness/exertion
- extreme emotions
- environmental noise
- climatic conditions
Self help tips
- maintain a migraine diary to try to identify patterns/triggers to attacks
- visit your GP
- eat regularly – try not to leave longer than three hours between food
- maintain a regular sleep pattern
- drink plenty of water
- keep stress and anxiety to a minimum
- limit alcoholic and caffeinated drinks
- get plenty of fresh air and regular exercise
- avoid bright, flashing or flickering lights and reflective surfaces
- ensure adequate ventilation
You can find further help and information at
