Do you suffer from migraines?

Did you know that migraines are the third most common disease in the world and one in seven people are affected by them?

Most people think that migraines are just over-exaggerated headaches, but as a matter of fact, there are additional symptoms associated with the condition, it’s more than just a headache. Migraines are a complex neurological which can have different symptoms. The pain can differ from moderate to a severe throbbing sensation which can prevent you from carrying out your usual day to day activities. Usually, migraines can be felt on one side of your head, however, sometimes it can occur on both sides of your head and can even affect your neck and face.

Further symptoms associated with migraines include:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea/vomiting
• Poor concentration
• Sweating

Migraines can last anywhere between four hours to three days long and they can even make you feel extremely tired afterwards, for roughly a week. According to the NHS one in every five women are affected by migraines and around one in every 15 men suffer from the condition.

Some people may experience temporary warning symptoms before a migraine occurs, this is also known as an aura. Aura can include a vast array of different things from, visual problems, a numbness or tingling sensation, speech problems or feeling dizzy.

Support available

It’s important to support those around us who suffer from migraines especially in the workplace, be sure to let your employer know if you suffer from migraines as they may be able to provide you with the support and assurance you may need.

If you do suffer from migraines then you should speak to your GP about your concerns, they might also recommend that you keep a diary of your symptoms to look for any patterns. You should include:

• Date
• Time
• Activities you were doing beforehand
• How long your migraine lasted
• Any other symptoms
• Medication taken