National Headache Foundation Offers 5 Tips to Stop Migraines Before They Stop You
In an effort to educate the public about the impact and severity of headaches, and support America’s 28 million migraine sufferers, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) has declared June 5-11, 2005 as National Headache Awareness Week (NHAW). The theme this year is “Stop Migraines Before They Stop You.”
According to an online survey conducted by the NHF, 51% of sufferers experience more than 10 migraine attacks per month, 52% have missed holiday celebrations because of their condition and 92% have missed a hobby-related activity. Migraine sufferers also lose 157 million work days each year, which in turn costs industry $50 billion annually. Results of the online survey indicate that 90% of sufferers have been unable to complete a work or school day because of a migraine attack, 41% feel that their boss and/or co-workers are not understanding of their condition and 46% believe that their migraines have caused them to miss out on career advancement opportunities.
The goals of National Headache Awareness Week are to gain recognition of migraine pain as a real and legitimate condition, to let sufferers know that there are new treatments available, and to encourage sufferers to see a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.
National Headache Awareness Week emphasizes Five Tips to Stop Migraines Before They Stop You, which empowers sufferers to take control of their condition and not let migraine pain affect every day activities. The five tips to stop migraine before they stop you are:
1. Get Diagnosed: Only by receiving an accurate diagnosis can migraine sufferers begin the process of taking control of their condition.
2. Partner With Your Healthcare Provider: A wide variety of treatment options exist and together with your healthcare provider you can determine which is most appropriate for your individual circumstances.
3. Identify Your Triggers: Keep a headache diary including foods, time of onset, pain duration and location or other factors that you experience with your migraine attack.
4. Use Effective Self-Management Strategies: Work with your healthcare provider to determine if techniques such as massage, guided imagery or biofeedback could improve your condition.
5. Utilize The National Headache Foundation As A Resource: Call 1-888-NHF-5552 or visit www.headaches.org to subscribe to NHF Head Lines, to get headache-related topic sheets, or to find a support group in your area.
According to Dr. Seymour Diamond, founder and executive chairman of the National Headache Foundation, “This year’s theme, Stop Migraines Before They Stop You, communicates the importance of recognizing that migraine is a treatable, neurobiologic disease which affects approximately 30 million Americans. By effectively managing migraine with the acute and preventive medications currently available, migraine does not have to be a quality-of-life altering condition. Get diagnosed, get treated and get on with your life. The theme validates migraine pain and urges those with headaches to seek care to eliminate needless suffering. When migraines put a stop to your life, go see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.”
National Headache Awareness Week is made possible through unrestricted educational grants from Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Pfizer Inc, Xcel Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Medtronic and VitaScience. For more information about headache causes and treatments, or National Headache Awareness Week, visit the National Headache Foundation Web site at www.headaches.org or call 888-NHF-5552 Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
Interviews with headache specialists and patients are available upon request. A copy of any NHAW document is available via e-mail to [email protected].
