Most people think that a migraine is just a long-lasting or more severe headache, but it isn’t that simple. They’re a headache category of their own. They vary in intensity and are often accompanied by other symptoms. These symptoms include nausea, sensitivity to sound and light, throbbing in a certain region of the head, difficulty focusing and even GI issues like constipation. Some people have acute migraine symptoms and others have more severe, life-altering ones. They can last 4 – 72 hours if left untreated, with varying frequency and intensity. Although migraines tend to last longer than your typical Tylenol-treated headache, the cause is mostly unknown. Knowing what to look for, identifying triggers, and having a plan that actually works is vital to overcoming the symptoms and returning back to normal, especially at work.
What to look for.
As previously named, migraines vary in frequency, intensity and longevity. Here are the different types:
Migraine with Aura: This complicated migraine causes auras or vision impairment like seeing black dots or blurred visuals in one or both eyes. Typically, after an Aura Migraine, sensitivity to sound and light and a throbbing migraine will follow.
Migraine without Aura: Just as the name would suggest, this migraine doesn’t have the warning signs of Aura or visual impairment. But typically, it has the remaining symptoms of sound and light sensitivity accompanied by pulsating or throbbing head pain.
Retinal Migraine: Common in women of childbearing age, the difference between these and others is the loss of vision on one side. The loss of vision can last as brief as a minute or as long as months.
Hemiplegic Migraine: Symptoms for these are often compared to that of a stroke. Numbness, loss of sensation on one side, Auras, and/or the sensation of pins and needles. Just like with other migraines, these don’t always include the throbbing pain of a severe headache.
Chronic Migraine: These last for extended periods of time. If they last two weeks or more, they usually indicate a chronic migraine. These may be equated to the same symptoms of a sinus or tension headache.
Migraines and headaches are in the same family. So it’s important to remain equally informed on all headache types that cause similar long-term and painful effects. These effects may include Cervogenic, Cluster, and Ice pick headaches to name a few.
Identifying the trigger(s).
When it comes to migraines, knowing your triggers is extremely helpful to develop the right treatment or management plan. Increased stress, exercise, muscle tension, hormone change, dietary changes, insufficient sleep, allergies, environmental changes, strong smells, loud sounds and smoke are some common triggers. Because the cause of migraines remains unidentified, noticing patterns of triggers can be vital to successfully managing them at work.
Keeping a Migraine Journal will help you pinpoint even the most unsuspecting of triggers. For example:
You may crane your neck while sitting in front of your computer. Your neck position can cause muscle tension in your sub occipitals, or the base of your neck and into your shoulders. Combined with insufficient sleep this non-ergonomic position may be a common contributor to the migraines you experience.
Just like other hard-to-diagnose and hard-to-prevent health conditions, keeping a log of the patterns and triggers that you notice will help you avoid unwanted and unsuccessful treatments.
Managing migraines at work.
If you notice an uptake in frequency or if your symptoms are severe, it’s time to see your doctor. Working with the right professional to proactively prevent and manage your migraines through prescription therapy and behavioral changes will make all the difference. However, if you’re experiencing a migraine while at work, here are some useful tips to calm your symptoms in addition to your medically prescribed plans:
- Have an ergonomic desk setup. Just like in the above example, muscle tension in the neck and shoulders is a common trigger. Maintaining an ergonomic desk setup whether you sit or stand can be a game changer in keeping migraines at bay.
- Give your eyes and body a break. The backlight of your computer screen can contribute to the known neurological effects that relate to migraines. Step away from the computer. If you can, take a minute to lay down and close your eyes. The extra rest will take the pressure off your neck and shoulders too.
- Stretch and strengthen. Tension and weakness often go hand in hand. Ensuring that you have a routine to eliminate common aches and pains that trigger your migraines will help prevent them.
- Hydration and electrolyte balance. In addition to migraine symptoms, dehydration can cause cognitive and physical problems. Be sure that you also focus on keeping an electrolyte balance.
- Get some rest. Do you wake up feeling tired? That can be one of the first signs of insufficient sleep. Getting enough ZZZs will help regulate hormones. Also, this will help your body avoid the sympathetic response of fight or flight under stress.
Everyone is unique, and thus treatment and prevention can vary. Remember, migraines are a serious health concern and those suffering from migraines should seek medical attention right away to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
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