Migraines aren’t just simple headaches – they are intense, debilitating head pains that can last for a very long time if left untreated. That is just one reason why June is National Migraine Awareness Month. This month, everyone is working to get the word out about what it’s really like to experience a migraine.
Over 37 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with migraine,1 and these people experience a wide variety of symptoms. About a third of patients can recognize when a migraine is coming by a unique “aura” they experience beforehand, commonly flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision. Besides the throbbing, intense head pain, migraines can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.2 Although there is no complete cure for migraines, treatments exist that try to block the onset of a migraine or manage the symptoms afterwards.
The American Headache Society’s Committee for Headache Education (ACHE) has a great series of artwork on their website that shows what living with migraine is like (we have just a few here in the post). You can see the rest of the gallery by clicking here.
Be sure to wear purple in support of migraine awareness, and don’t forget to share about your activities on Facebook and Twitter. ACHE also has a PicBadge you can post as part of Migraine Awareness Month.
Finally, if you’ve been experiencing migraines, join the more than 5,000 PatientsLikeMe members who are living with the same condition. You can check out treatment evaluations and ask about anything in the forum – the community is always up for sharing.
Share this post on twitter and help spread the word for National Migraine Awareness Month.
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