Migraine & Headache Australia

Are you interested in participating in research? Researchers at Griffith University are inviting all adults living with chronic pain to complete an anonymous online survey. They want to know if the experience of home influences pain, health, and well-being. You can learn more about this study, including information on how to participate, at https://lnkd.in/gyUe96B2

Earlier this week at the BioPharma Dispatch Conference held in Sydney, Shadow Minister of Health, Senator Anne Ruston, emphasised the importance of incorporating patient voices in policy formulation. Following her insightful speech, Director of Migraine & Headache Australia, Carl Cincinnato had the opportunity to engage with Senator Ruston and her team. We are pleased to announce that they have committed to meeting with Migraine & Headache Australia to discuss our perspectives as they develop their election policy in the upcoming months. We are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!

Wally Lewis, one of Australia's most celebrated rugby league players, recently spoke out about the impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on his life. CTE is a type of dementia caused by repeated concussions and subconcussions. In decades past, head knocks were simply regarded as "the price you pay for playing footy". The long-term effects of concussion weren't as well studied, and players were often encouraged (or felt pressured) to act tough and play on after a head injury. However, players, neurologists, researchers, and other stakeholders are increasingly calling for this culture to change. Wally and his partner, Lynda Adams, are sharing his experience to help raise awareness about CTE, and advocate for better support and education. You can access the article via the Courier Mail, at https://t.co/9OBjVvIRgW #Concussion #CTE #ChronicTraumaticEncephalopathy #Dementia

On behalf of Migraine & Headache Australia and the Brain Foundation, we wish you a very happy new year. Thankyou for your support during 2023, in helping people with headache & migraine.

On behalf of Migraine & Headache Australia, and all of us at the Brain Foundation we wish you a joyous holiday season, and thank you for your support this year.

The post-attack phase of a migraine attack is referred to as the ‘postdrome’. During this phase you may continue to experience symptoms after any headache has finished. About 80% of migraine attacks have a postdrome phase, and some people report it feeling similar to a hangover. It may last from hours to greater than a day. Common symptoms can be feeling fatigued, irritable, difficulty thinking, light and sound sensitivity and nausea.

The parties towards the end of the year may bring some changes of routines and different foods and drinks to usual. It can hard to avoid all migraine or headache triggers and we don't want to add more stress to the season by worrying too much about them. Perhaps you have learnt some tips to help to manage them and keeping up migraine self-care. Please share in the comments.

Migraine attack can occur in stages. Not everyone will experience every possible phase. Both a migraine aura and premonitory phase occur before the pain phase of a migraine attack. There are some similarities between aura and premonitory symptoms, such as problems with vision and speaking. But migraine aura is much more distinct and doesn’t last as long as the premonitory phase. An aura usually is the last phase before the pain phase of a migraine attack. Premonitory symptoms also usually affect the entire body, whereas aura symptoms generally start unilaterally (affecting one side/area of the body). 🧐You can learn about the stages of migraine on our website.

Sometimes people mistake tension headache for migraine, or vice versa. However, there are a few tell-tale differences that can help you understand which type of headache you have. Tension-type headache is one of the most common headache types. It causes mild to moderate pain which is felt on both sides of the head. It is often described as a tightening sensation, like a band around your head. Migraine is a neurological disorder. the pain is often one-sided and throbbing. It is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and light and sound sensitivity. There may be a feeling of being unwell, aura or difficulty thinking. It is important to diagnose headache disorders accurately to reduce stigma and help people get the right treatment. If your headache begins to interfere with your day-to-day life, please consult your doctor.

It is estimated that 67.2 million workforce days are lost each year resulting in $16.3 billion in lost productivity each year. A supportive workplace can help to minimize the chances of migraine attacks and help to keep employees in their work. Employers can help to minimize migraine attack triggers through using a fragrance free policy, swapping out fluorescent light bulbs, using anti-glare computer screen shields and providing a room which can be darkened, where someone can rest whilst giving rescue medication a chance to work.