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There is never one, simple answer to solving the migraine problem. Most sufferers develop their own personal attack system, approaching treatment, management and prevention with an individually worked-out program of behavioral strategies and prescribed medication.
Every migraine sufferer takes some form of medication to help them control pain. From preventive to abortive medications, over-the-counter and prescribed medicines, they’re all on the go-to list when pain strikes or threatens.
Migraine is probably one of the least understood conditions that undermine people’s health and well-being. And yet, it is almost as common as high blood pressure and more common than asthma.
Over time, migraines can change, both in severity and frequency. In some people, migraines are unpredictable from the start, with some being more easily coped with than others. Most migraine sufferers will experience some change in their symptoms over time.
The prospect of making any lifestyle changes dismays many people. We get used to doing certain things at certain times and in particular ways. Everyone has their own routine that becomes ingrained, and changing habits is so hard. Yet for migraine sufferers, it’s often a vital part of managing the condition. Sometimes, an action taken unconsciously is what triggers the problem, so working with yourself to alter that behavior can lead to more pain-free days and a healthier outlook on life.
A surprising number of children suffer from headaches, with one report indicating that around 70% of school-age children fall victim at least once a year. A quarter of those have recurring headaches, and 10% have migraines.
In addition to being painful and a debilitating interruption for busy adults, migraines can be a seemingly insurmountable frustration. You can identify and eliminate triggers, meditate and deep breathe the mornings and nights away, and yet they still come back.
Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that the feet are cold or a finger is burned. Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these vital connections. Like static on a telephone line, peripheral...
Migraineurs learn early on to identify their triggers and develop ways to avoid them. From food to noise or light levels, weather conditions and even temperature, many situations can bring on a migraine headache, including sleep or its lack.
Most of us have experienced the sharp discomfort of coming out of the dark cinema to a bright, sunny afternoon. The light is blinding and it’s hard to understand how we normally tolerate such brightness. In most cases, the painful reaction is mercifully fleeting with no unpleasant side effects. For migraineurs, much lower levels of brightness can have far reaching consequences.
