of migraine

MIGRAINE Awareness Week which starts on Monday, September 4, aims to raise general awareness of the condition and highlight ways in which it can be avoided in the workplace.

The message being put out by the Migraine Action Association is that in most cases, the illness can be effectively managed.

The Association is drawing attention to the fact that a wide range of treatments can help sufferers, including some which have been introduced during the past year.

They can assist people to get back to normal work and life within hours.

The Association is urging sufferers not to be afraid to return to their GPs if a prescribed treatment doesn't work and to keep trying different things. A treatment which works well for one person may be completely ineffective for another.

A survey has been done by the Association on how migraine effects people in the workplace.

The Association stresses that people with migraine can have successful careers.

Director, Ann Turner, said: "They are not the bad employment risk they are sometimes erroneously believed to be.

"The key is for each individual to discover the best way to manage their condition which can take time and perseverance, but it is something the Migraine Action Association can help with."

The survey by the Association showed that 52 per cent of sufferers found their working environment migraine inducing.

The Association recommends several factors which can lessen workplace irritants for everyone, including migraine sufferers.

They are:

Adequate ventilation and comfortable temperature

Regular breaks, particularly from repetitive work

Adequate and well maintained lighting

Adjustable window blinds to exclude glare

Properly positioned VDUs fitted with anti-glare screens

No smoking in main work areas

Efficient extractors if fumes or strong smells are produced

Ear protection if there are high noise levels

Well maintained machinery to keep noise levels to a minimum

An understanding attitude. Sufferers are more likely to work through attacks if they know they can take a break.

Coping can be different for everyone

FIFTEEN per cent of the UK population suffers from migraine.

It affects all age groups, even young children. An attack can last between four and 72 hours and sufferers average about one attack a month.

Symptoms are different for individuals. They can include: flashing lights, blind spots in vision, zig zag patterns, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, noise or smells, tingling and pins and needles, weakness and numbness in the limbs.

The problem is triggered by a huge variety of factors. Common ones include: cheese, chocolate, red wine, stress, or sometimes, the relief of stress, physical or mental fatigue, lack of sleep or too much sleep, extreme emotions such as anger or grief, lack of food and hormonal changes.

Migraine often starts when several of these factors come together.

How to get help

For information, and a leaflet "Working with Migraine " contact the Migraine Action Association on 01932 352468, e-mail info@migraine.org.uk. or website www.migraine.org.uk Contact The Migraine Trust on 020 7831 4818

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.