June is Migraine Awareness Month

Canadian Headache Society and Migraine Canada encourage patients to 'rule their headache'

VANCOUVER, June 7, 2017 /CNW/ - June is Migraine Awareness Month and the Show Purple initiative aims to reduce the stigma associated with migraines and headaches, through education and action. Migraine Canada, a national organization led by doctors and health care professionals, is leading the charge by raising awareness and encouraging dialogue about neurological conditions and their physical and mental impact.

Migraine Canada will host a Facebook Live on June 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. PST (9 to 10 p.m. EST), to give Canadians access to a migraine and headache expert and foster dialogue among the community to better help understand, diagnose and treat the condition.

"People often self-diagnose a headache or migraine as a passing attack, until they are truly inconvenienced by the pain. The key to treating a migraine or headache is to treat it immediately at symptoms onset with the correct medication. To understand their symptoms and to receive appropriate treatment, patients should consult their doctor says Dr. Sian Spacey, President of the Canadian Headache Society.

Migraine is more common that diabetes, asthma and osteoarthritis of the knee combined². An estimated 2.7 million Canadians reported they had been diagnosed with migraine. This is an understatement of the condition's prevalence, considering most people who experience migraines do not seek professional help, and therefore, would not have a diagnosis to report¹. Migraines can be a debilitating disorder characterized by pulsating headaches lasting from a few hours to several days, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light and sound. It can be trigger by simple things like coffee, lack of sleep, posture or a more complex neurological or biological issue. Migraine is not the only cause of repeated headaches, but can be distinguished from other headache types by carefully analyzing the characteristics of the person's headaches.

Migraine Canada offers support to help patients suffering with migraines and headaches get the help they need through online resources including migraine tests, tips on stopping the attack and learning how to differentiate between migraines and headaches. Please visit migrainecanada.org for more information.

References

¹ http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2014006/article/14033-eng.htm     
^2. Vos T et al., The Lancet. 2012;15;380(9859):2163-96

SOURCE Canadian Headache Society

or to schedule an interview opportunity, please contact: Caroline De Silva, Director, Argyle Public Relationships, E: [email protected], P: [phone] ext. 231