Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like having headaches or migraines, you are never alone. Countless men and women have faced the exact same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.
TSC has scoured the Internet and assembled links to the very best resources about migraines and headaches: articles, blogs, forums and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges that you face.
As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this Headache/Migraine guide even more helpful to survivors like you.
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Survivors Say: Best Resources for Headaches and Migraines
- The National Headache Foundation This advocate for headache sufferers offers educational and informational resources and supports theadache research.
- Migraine Research Foundation The website offers education for sufferers, resources, links and information about ongoing research.
- Medline Plus: Headache Detailed overview from the National Institutes of Health about headache pain, symptoms, treatment and research.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Its website answers FAQs about migraine symptoms, treatment and research.
The Big Picture
Headaches affect the majority of the population, but while some experience one every now and then, others have them on a regular basis. An estimated 30 million Americans experience incredibly debilitating headaches called migraines, and women are five times more likely than men to suffer them. Severe migraines can last up to 72 hours. Some migraine sufferers experience a warning prior to actually having the migraine, which is called an aura, or the “prodromal” stage. During this period, the warning signs can include experiencing flashing lights or blurry spots in your vision and difficulty speaking.
Signs and Symptoms
- MedicineNet: Migraine Symptoms - MedicineNet.com
- Neurology Channel: Headache Signs and Symptoms
- Mayo Clinic: Tension Headaches
- Mayo Clinic: Cluster Headaches
Your Headache or Migraine
Although headache pain sometimes can be severe, in most cases it's not the result of an underlying disease. The vast majority of headaches are so-called primary headaches. The cause of migraine is believed to be chemical reactions in the brain, caused by the "triggers" of certain physical or environmental factors. These triggers include foods, hormonal changes, weather, and stress. But migraine triggers are different for everyone so it's important to to figure out which ones affect you and bring on an attack.
QualityHealth.com: Understanding Migraine Symptoms
Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor About Migraines
Your World
If you suffer from severe headaches or migraines, you may feel as if you can't trust your own body. When the migraine hits, you may become severely depressed. This is understandable, as the pain of migraines can often be difficult to bear. Controlling the pain is a big help in improving your outlook, so be sure to talk to your doctor if your pain is not being managed effectively. Research shows that stress can definitely play a role in the severity of migraines. Try to remain calm, and relax as best you can. If you can tolerate it, watch a funny TV show or movie; in some cases, laughter has been shown to ease migraine pain and improve your overall emotional outlook. Support groups can also help you to better cope for the next outbreak.
How to Explain Your Migraines to Your Friends and Family
Explaining your migraine problems and symptoms to friends and family can give them a better understanding of how to help you.HealingWell.com - The Other Migraine Victims
Migraine Myths
- Migraines are simply bad headaches.
- Migraines are easily recognizable by doctors.
- People who have migraines bring them on themselves
Find out the truth here:
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