Migraine and Headache Awareness
I do not know of anyone who has never experienced an atrocious headache. You know, the kind that makes you want to lay in the bed undisturbed and in the dark. Some people get headaches more frequently than others. Some are aware of their triggers, while others are not.
Headaches are so common and misunderstood that for 51 years, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) mission has been to “further awareness of headaches and migraine as legitimate neurobiological diseases. The use of technology has enhanced the mission’s ability to improve understanding of migraines and help find relief. NHF declared June as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.
The foundation compiled The Complete Headache Chart that identifies and defines 29 types of headaches. They are:
Allergy Headache
Aneurysm
Caffeine-Withdrawal Headache
Cervicogenic Headache
Chronic Daily Headache
Chronic Migraine
Cluster Headache
Depression and Headache
Eyestrain Headache
Exertional Headache
Fasting Heading
Fever Headache
Giant Cell Arteritis
Hangover Headache
Headache Attributed to Infection
Hemiplegic Migraine
Hunger Headache
Hypertension Headache
Menstrual Headache
Migraine with Aura
Migraine without Aura
New Daily Persistent Headache
Post-Traumatic Headaches
Sinus Headache
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Headache
Tension-Type Headache
Tic Douloureux Headache (Trigeminal Neuralgia)
Thunderclap Headache
Tumor Headache
The information that I share in this post is for informational and educational purposes. If you suffer from regular headaches or know someone who does and seeks additional resources, visit the website. You’ll find podcasts, health care providers, clinical trials, migraine university, veteran resources, research, patient assistance, and more.
Although this post is inclusive to anyone who can benefit from it, I have to say that, as a woman, I have had doctors dismissed my queries about their diagnosis of my health concern and blatant rejection of my research findings on various topics.
Research supports the argument of disparities in experience and treatment of women; it is not our imagination. Gaslighting in women’s health is indisputable.
In the early ’90s, I suffered from migraines. Thankfully I did not have any tumors or serious medical issues. Eventually, with the help of my doctor, I discovered my triggers and slowly began to alter my diet and other habits.
Nearly 30 years have passed since I have had a migraine, but I will never forget the pain they cause.
Migraines are debilitating, and according to NHF, migraines are the number two cause of disability worldwide.
I hope this information is helpful to you or someone you know. Please share.
Be well.
“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”