Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

Did you know that migraine and chronic headache disorders are the leading causes of disease disability in people under 50 worldwide?

Tension-type headache and migraine even rank 2nd and 3rd most common diseases worldwide. In Switzerland, it is estimated that more than 1 million people suffer from migraine of varying severity: one in 5 women, one in 14 men and one in 10 schoolchildren (with an increasing tendency), i.e. more than diabetes, asthma and epilepsy combined. In addition, over 200,000 people have daily headaches, often due to headache medication overuse.

Despite these impressive facts, the public and the majority of health professionals trivialize primary headache as a trivial complaint, an excuse for absenteeism, and that simple analgesics will suffice to resolve it. For those affected themselves, concerns about stigma are often the biggest barrier to seeking specialist medical advice. Headaches, sensitivity to light, even nausea and dizziness, are typically not visible to other people. People with migraine are stigmatized as much as people with epilepsy or panic disorder. Although headache disorders are treatable, clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis of headache are freely available, and drug and non-drug therapies, as well as self-management services, are at a high level, care for sufferers is worrisome, according to recent studies:

• Over 50% of migraine sufferers do not receive a correct diagnosis for over 5 years.
• Less than 30% of those affected are aware of their diagnosis and around 70% self-treat without knowing about the risks of unthinking self-treatment and knowing about appropriate therapies).

Most people don’t realize how serious and disabling migraines can be.

More than 90% of sufferers are unable to work or function normally during migraines. Many people still have misconceptions about migraine and many prejudices still exist today, such as that only women have migraine or that sufferers are only hypersensitive. The fact is: Hardly anyone takes the disease seriously who has not experienced it himself. Although the suffering is very great and affects the quality of life enormously, most patients endure their suffering in silence.

12 September European Migraine and Chronic Headache Day

September 12 was established in 2006 at the initiative of Migraine Action together with other European patient organizations. European Headache and Migraine Day raises awareness of the burdens and unjust discrimination faced by patients with migraine. Together with other patients’, doctors’ and pharmacists’ organizations, attention is being drawn loudly in many European countries to the enormous mental and physical strain on patients, as well as the major economic consequences of inadequate treatment.

MIGRAINE ACTION patient organization: awareness campaign in SEPTEMBER.

To start the conversation, Migraine Action has exciting initiatives around headaches planned throughout September via www.migraineaction.ch to join in.

Launch on 12 September- European Migraine Day

‘Out of My Head’ shows what migraines are and their impact from different perspectives – the migraine sufferer, family members, doctors, researchers and more. It’s honest and it really hits home. For people with migraines, Out of My Head is a validation; for people who don’t have migraines, it can be especially enlightening and educational.

The passion and commitment of Susanna Styron, the writer/director, and Jacki Ochs, the producer, and everyone involved in this documentary shine through and inspire the audience.

On 9/12 at 7pm, the multi-award winning migraine documentary ‘OUT OF MY HEAD’ by ‘The Migraine Project’ will air as a Swiss premiere via the Migraine Action website.