Well it’s a painful, annoying, lost in space experience. But there’s more to migraine than a bad headache. Let me explain the vortex world of migraine in which impact many lives around the world.
Migraine is neurological disorder, medical professionals have debated the cause of migraines for many years, some agreeing the cause of migraine has to do with blood vessels and nerve interaction in the brain but, overall, why this happens is still unknown.
In the UK migraine affects 8 million people, costing £3 billion in lost working days and doctors’ visits. The World Health Organization has rated it among the 20 most disabling conditions.
Following patient studies, medical professionals have identified the following triggers:
I myself can identify some of the triggers mentioned. You can literally feel you being pulled into the vortex world of migraine only to find when you land its accompanied by one or more of the following: visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities.
I started having headaches in my childhood. I had to take breaks from my class and was sent to lie down in a dark place, whilst my fellow class mates wondered how I was able to wave a ‘magic wand’ and have a headache, and miss class or leave to go home. But, for me, it was like being separated from the world I enjoyed to another world filled with isolation, darkness, and the intense feeling of my head being crushed. The more intense the crushing, the darker it felt.
Not all migraine symptoms are generic, which is very much misunderstood. To understand the symptoms of headaches, you must understand the types of headache you have, which is diagnosed by specialist doctor. Migraine disorders come in the following:
For a full list of Migraine types and additional information please visit The Migraine Trust and Migraine Action websites.
Four years ago I was diagnosed with a rare form of migraine called Hemiplegic Migraine, also known as Migraine with auras. This causes the body to develop stroke-like symptoms, with right sided temporary paralysis of arm and leg, co-ordination problems, temporary memory loss, speech difficulties, facial drooping as well as headache and non-headache symptoms. The symptoms can last for hours, days and weeks – turning my day-to-day into a juggling act on how to best navigate my life.
Migraine remains a poorly understood disease that is frequently undiagnosed and undertreated, but there are UK-based headache groups such as the Migraine trust and Migraine Action that can steer you in the right direction if you haven’t yet been diagnosed with migraine.
The first point of call should be your GP. Once you have been referred to a headache specialist you will be asked a number of questions about your symptoms and, in some cases, you will be asked to have an MRI scan to see if there is any underlying issues associated with your headache. Once it’s been confirmed you have a headache disorder, you may be told the type of migraine you have. Your GP or neurologist will discuss with your options in terms of medication and treatment, and how to best manage your symptoms.
Migraine isn’t one of the easiest medical conditions to control, but if you’re looking for magic word that word is self-management. You may start by identifying your triggers, like foods and environmental or physical factors. Writing a daily diary about your symptoms may help you identify potential triggers. Whatever is known or unknown about migraine, it becomes a journey of self-discovery. Migraine has taught me to listen to my body. With this in mind I make sure I drink plenty of water to stop dehydration; I try my best to eat meals on time; if I’m doing chores I take a break in-between. Most importantly, make sure you communicate with family, friends, your carer or workplace about the support you need. Migraine doesn’t only affect you, but also your relationships with family, friends and your work environment. If you feel you need additional help to manage your migraine, contact a support group. self management uk offers self-management training and support for people with long-term conditions, including those living with migraine. Lastly as we navigate our lives through the vortex world of migraine, be kind to yourself and patient and seek support you need.
Patricia Christopher is a patient ambassador for self management uk
