Before dismissing the throbbing pain in your head as a headache, think again even though you'd rather not because it's making you dizzy, nauseous and extremely tired. You might have been putting up with a neurological condition for a long time and not even know it. Thanks to Migraine Awareness Month, a spin-off from National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, which is observed annually for the whole month of June, you can come to understand exactly what your condition is and access the most effective treatment options.
Migraine Awareness Month 2021 bears the theme "Your migraine, your way" and offers an array of activities to answer your questions about migraine, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis and how it can be treated.
What is the Difference Between Headaches and Migraines?
A headache is a condition that can affect any part of your head. It is usually caused by stress, wearing the wrong prescription glasses, lack of sleep or hunger. It goes away with medication, or you can sleep it off. Intense headaches that go on for hours or days and only get worse are dubbed as migraines. Unlike a headache, a migraine doesn't just go away that easily, especially the hemiplegic migraine type. It's a serious one. It makes its presence felt through the following symptoms:
Tingling sensation on the hand and arm- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance and lack of muscle coordination
- Nausea
- Slurred speech
- Sensitivity to sound and light
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Disorientation
What Causes Migraines?
The contributing factors to a migraine are numerous, and every person who experiences it has a story to tell. Migraines are more common in women than they are in men due to the changes in female hormones during menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause. A person's genetics, environment, diet and allergies are also major triggers. However, there are many people with migraine who point to stress, inadequate sleep and changes in the weather as the primary reasons for their severe attacks.
Recognising the fact that everybody in the migraine community has a unique experience, Migraine Awareness Month 2021 encourages them to share their journey through pain as well as inspiring stories on their migraine blogs.
What is the Best Treatment for Migraines?
There is no specific cure for migraines, though certain medications and lifestyle changes can alleviate the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Research shows that over-the-counter pain relievers, antidepressants and prescription drugs for blood pressure can help prevent the symptoms of migraine. However, taking medicine alone won't do much but lead to unpleasant side effects such as the following:
Following an exercise regimen, getting enough sleep and eating whole, unprocessed foods must go hand-in-hand with any preventive medications. Studies show that shifting to a low-fat, high-fibre diet reduces migraine attacks and makes the condition more manageable. For a pain-proof diet, try adding more of the following to your plate:
- Salmon and other fatty fish
- Green, leafy vegetables
- Orange and yellow vegetables and fruits
- Legumes
- Brown rice
- Clean, drinking water
Sufferers are also advised to keep track of their migraine episodes through journaling. It can help their healthcare providers come up with a personalised treatment plan that will avoid the triggers and reduce the frequency of attacks.
Why Join Migraine Awareness Month 2021?
Migraine Awareness Month aims to provide people affected by the neurological disease with the underpinnings of migraine so that they can make their condition more manageable and live comfortable lives. As well as gaining a better understanding of migraine, participants will be able to interact with a dynamic online community, share their success stories and reclaim control over their health.
Raising awareness for migraine is important as this condition is linked to several medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, obesity and mental health disorders, to name a few. It's so easy to shrug off tension headaches, thinking that these will eventually go away. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for such types of headaches to lead to chronic migraine when it's not addressed properly.
Apart from engaging with educators, healthcare professionals, researchers and everybody else in the migraine community in online forum discussions, participants can look forward to virtual events like the Shades for Migraine. It's one of the highlights of Migraine Awareness Month, where everyone is encouraged to wear a pair of sunglasses to show their support for people around the world who are struggling with the migraine disease.
Joining Migraine Awareness Month will also advance ongoing trials and research on potential treatments for migraine. Whether you have a migraine story to share or want to be one with the world in spreading awareness of the disease, this multiday event will set the scene for your advocacy.
|
Do you have a natural health & wellness business? |
