The National Headache Foundation (NHF) has declared June 5-11, 2005, as National Headache Awareness Week (NHAW) in an effort to educate the public about the impact and severity of Migraine disease, and support America's 32 million Migraine sufferers. This year’s theme is "Stop Migraines Before They Stop You." According to an online survey conducted by the NHF:
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51% of sufferers experience more than 10 Migraine attacks per month.
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52% have missed holiday celebrations because of their condition.
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92% have missed a hobby-related activity
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Migraine sufferers also lose 157 million work days each year, which in turn costs industry $50 billion annually.
The goals the NHF has set for this year's NHAW are:
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to gain recognition of Migraine pain as a real and legitimate condition
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to let sufferers know that there are new treatments available
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to encourage sufferers to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
National Headache Awareness Week emphasizes five tips to stop Migraines before they stop you:
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Get Diagnosed. Only by receiving an accurate diagnosis can Migraine sufferers begin the process of taking control of their condition.
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Partner With Your Healthcare Provider. A wide variety of treatment options exist and together with your healthcare provider you can determine which is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
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Identify Your Triggers. Keep a headache diary including foods, time of onset, pain duration and location or other factors that you experience with your Migraine attack.
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Use Effective Self-Management Strategies. Work with your healthcare provider to determine if techniques such as massage, guided imagery or biofeedback could improve your condition.
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Utilize The National Headache Foundation As A Resource. Call 1-888-NHF-5552 or visit www.headaches.org for Migraine-related topic sheets, to find a support group in your area, subscribe to NHF Head Lines, and much more.
Summary
Migraine is a true neurological disease characterized by episodes or attacks
that may or may not include a headache among their symptoms. Still, too many
people are under the misconception that Migraines are “just bad headaches.”
Because of this and other misconceptions, Migraineurs face not only the physical
pain of the disease, but unnecessary emotional pain caused by being
misunderstood and not receiving the support they need. To the five tips the NHF
offers, I would add Educate Yourself About Migraine Disease. Being
educated about Migraine disease is essential to working as a partner with
doctors and other healthcare professionals as well as educating those around us.
In the words of Dr. William B. Young of the Jefferson Headache Center, "An
educated patient is a better patient. I'd rather have a treatment partner than a
dishrag."
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References:
National Headache Foundation Press Release:
"NATIONAL HEADACHE AWARENESS WEEK JUNE 5-11: National Headache Foundation Offers
5 Tips to Stop Migraines Before They Stop You." Chicago. May, 2005.
