Migraine
What is Migraine?
For most people migraine is a great deal more than just a headache. It can be a debilitating condition which has a huge impact on the quality of life of sufferers and their families.
If you have two or more of the following symptoms during an attack it is probable that you are suffering from migraine.
Visual disturbances including blind spots, distorted vision, flashing lights or zig zag patterns. These symptoms, often called an aura are most often identified with migraine but in fact only about 10% of sufferers experience them. Migraine with aura is often called classical migraine.
- Intense throbbing headache, often on one side of the head only.
- Nausea and/or vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Increased sensitivity to sounds (phonophobia)
- Increased sensitivity to smells (osmophobia)
You may also experience stiffness of the neck and shoulders, tingling or stiffness in the limbs, an inability to concentrate, difficulty in speaking, or in very rare cases paralysis or loss of consciousness.
A general rule of thumb is that if a headache and/or other associated symptoms prevent you from continuing with normal daily activities it could be a migraine.
Migraine attacks normally last between 3 and 72 hours and sufferers are usually quite well between attacks.
How does Migraine affect the lives of sufferers?
Migraine is not a life threatening condition but it can have a substantial impact on quality of life with far reaching effects on the lives of sufferers and their families.
Migraine is a much-misunderstood condition. Sufferers can be regarded as malingerers, hypochondriacs or self obsessed neurotics. Because there is no test for migraine (diagnosis depends on careful history taking) and, outside an attack, there are no obvious external signs of the condition, a sufferer can offer no absolute proof of his/her condition. A broken arm can attract a great deal of sympathy but may not cause as much pain as a single migraine attack.
As migraine patients are normally quite well between attacks non-sufferers often find it difficult to understand how they can suddenly become so severely debilitated. Comments such as "but you were fine yesterday" are common. This factor also makes migraine an excellent excuse for the unscrupulous who do true sufferers a great disservice.
The unpredictably of migraine can cause disruption to family, social and working life. As a result sufferers often feel that they are letting everyone down. They become afraid to make plans or take on responsibilities and are in fear of when the next attack will strike. The support and understanding of family, friends and working colleagues is vital.
Migraine can put a strain on even the happiest of relationships. However understanding and supportive a partner may be their patience can be tried when another outing is cancelled or they have to "take over" yet again. Children can become upset and confused when a parent is ill and older children can be very intolerant when plans have to be changed at short notice. It can sometimes be more distressing to see someone you love in pain and feel helpless to alleviate it than to experience it yourself.
Employers can regard migraine sufferers as a bad risk. This is unfair as, due to the unpredictability of their condition, migraineurs are often well organised and conscientious.
Unfortunately some members of the medical profession also lack understanding and sympathy. Some sufferers do not receive the support that they need from their GP and are sometimes refused drugs that can bring them significant relief.