June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.
Slide 2:
More than “just a headache”
Migraine is a disabling disease that affects over 40 million people each year in the U.S. Women are 3x more likely to have migraine disease than men.
It can make even the simplest tasks impossible.
Why are migraine attacks so overwhelming?
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Migraine attacks can interfere with daily life
They can cause many debilitating symptoms, including:
Throbbing head pain, often on one side
Nausea
Vomiting
Sensitivity to light, sound & smells
This can lead to:
Isolation
Anxiety
Post traumatic stress disorder
Learn how supporting someone with migraine disease can help.
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Look for warning signs and triggers
Sometimes a migraine attack can come on quickly and without warning. Knowing a person’s triggers can help catch it early, before it gets worse.
Migraine triggers include:
Stress
Irregular sleep
Too much caffeine
Menstrual periods
Skipped meals
Changes in weather
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Be reassuring and acknowledge their pain
Comforting someone during a migraine attack can help reduce their stress. One way to do this is to let them know you’re there for them.
By listening, believing them and being sympathetic, they’ll realize they have support.
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Provide for their needs
Someone having a migraine attack may experience intense pain.
You can help them by:
Bringing them water
Closing curtains to block the light
Giving them a quiet place to rest
Getting their medication
Making them a cold or hot compress
Asking what they need
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Pick up the slack
Someone having a migraine attack isn’t likely to be able to perform household duties. Offer to take care of whatever you can so they can rest and heal more quickly.
For example, you can:
Pick up the kids from school
Make a meal
Tidy the house
Take them to their healthcare provider
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Modify your actions
When someone is having a migraine attack, noise, light, and certain smells can make it worse.
Try not to cook food with strong odors, and make sure you’re not wearing perfume or cologne.
Keep the lights off and create a calm and quiet environment.
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Have an emergency plan to deal with sudden attacks
These questions can help:
1. What warning signs do you have before a migraine attack?
2. What is the best way to support you during an attack?
3. What are immediate steps we can take when a migraine attack comes on?
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How can you support someone with migraine disease?
Raising awareness, providing empathy, taking care of their needs, and having an emergency plan can help make people with migraine disease feel supported.
No one should have to face migraine disease alone.
This educational resource was created with support from Pfizer.
