The Migraine one.

June is a crucial month across the galaxy, being that it is Migraine Awareness Month. Migraine is a serious condition that affects millions globally, and the powerful impact cannot be underestimated. This debilitating pain is utterly soul-crushing and deserves far more attention and conversation than it currently receives. It’s time to speak up and advocate for those who living with migraine.

What is migraine?

A neurological disorder that usually causes severe, throbbing head pain, often on one side of the head. It can be a sort of pulsating sensation as well.

A migraine attack is divided into four stages. Understanding these stages can help you manage your migraine pain more effectively and determine when to start treatment. While there is no cure for migraines, being aware of these stages can help you minimize your pain.

From the American Migraine Foundation

The symptoms can appear from days to hours before an onset of a migraine attack. The symptoms vary but the most common migraine attack symptoms are:

• Mood changes
• sensitivity to light, sound, and smell
• nausea, vomiting
• neck stiffness
• weakness or numbness in face, and hands on one side of the body
• frequent urination
• frequent yawning
• fluid retention

And of course many more depending on each person. Although if you find your triggers, that is also another way to stay ahead of the migraine attacks. Again, it varies from person to person. But keeping a migraine diary is the best way to understand your triggers.

What triggers your migraine?

The exact cause of migraine disease remains unknown, but understanding the factors that may aggravate or trigger the pain is a big step to avoid an attack. Chemical imbalances in the brain can lead to the development of a migraine, often resulting in the need to lie down in a dark room with an ice pack to alleviate the pain.

Some common triggers:

• Stress
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Fluctuation in weather
• Hormones

Just to name a few…..there is more.

Types of migraine.

Did you know there is more than just that one type of migraine? And it is possible to live with one type. I do and it’s like going through life on hard mode.

The best way to treat it.

A migraine attack can be your worst enemy. The best advice I can give you is to attack it before it attacks you. The quicker you start to treat it the better. A migraine attack is one of the MOST stubborn pains to get rid of. The longer you wait, the harder it is. Luckily, there are many useful tools to get you as best relief as possible. From full head covering ice packs, triptans, CGRP meds <- really effective, nasal sprays, OTC pain relievers, and then you have heavier stuff.

You are NOT alone.

One of the challenges of living with migraine disease is the isolation it can create. You often encounter negativity from various sources, including family, friends, and even some medical professionals. A great way to feel supported is to connect with others, either online or in person, who truly understand what you’re experiencing. We are out there, and I want to ensure you never feel alone. I understand the feeling of isolation and the struggle of not being understood. There’s a significant lack of awareness about migraine, and I find the dismissive phrase “it’s just a headache” incredibly frustrating. I work hard to delete that mindset.

-g