Use these tips to deal with migraines while working from home

Migraine is a debilitating neurological disease ranking consistently among the top 10 leading causes of years lived with disability worldwide The main symptom of migraine is an enduring headache along with symptoms such as severe pain on one side of the head or throbbing pain sensitivity to light and sound and nausea Despite being a very common headache disorder that affects roughly 15 percent of the adult population worldwide it remains inadequately understood and most neglected In Delhi approximately 25 per cent of the population suffers from migraines every year While migraine is an invisible condition it can severely impact individuals across personal professional and social domains thus affecting the overall quality of life and productivity Workfromhome or the new normal has drastically impacted the lives of people suffering from migraines from an inability to concentrate at work to missed workdays It has become even more urgent to ensure that individuals have the understanding and tools to effectively manage migraines Dr Debashish Chowdhury professor and Head of Neurology G B Pant Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research GIPMER and Incharge Headache Clinic GIPMER New Delhi said There is a lack of understanding amongst people about the severity of migraines In a study we recently conducted about 50 to 60 per cent of migraineurs were undiagnosed despite recurrent headaches Because migraine falls on a spectrum ranging from infrequent or mild attacks to recurrent ones many pass it off as lsquomerely a headache With busy workfromhome schedules paired with fear of contracting COVID19 infection and difficulty in accessing inperson care people are avoiding seeking medical help for the condition instead attributing symptoms to associated comorbidities such as stress or depression He continued Financial worries due to job loss or salary cuts also contribute to aggravated migraine attacks which is more noticeable recently The effects of migraine on ones quality of life also reportedly worsened particularly for many migraineurs working as essential healthcare workers at this time Symptom neglect and failure to treat the condition can lead to migraines becoming chronic A fundamental need is to recognise migraine as a serious condition with severe disability and adopt a holistic treatment approach Early detection can be a key enabler of a smoother patient journey and an improved quality of lifeHere are 5 ways to manage your migraine while working from home Identify risk factors and monitor triggersMigraines can begin at any age but tend to peak during ones prime productive years Moreover women are three times more likely to be affected than men with prevalence peaking between the ages of 25 and 55 yearsLong hours of working from home along with longer screen times disrupted sleep schedules and irregular eating habits can increase stress levels For migraineurs such changes can become migraine triggers exacerbating their condition Identifying personal triggers can help individuals manage their migraines better Make the right choice for diet and lifestyleWorking from home can be hard but a daily routine that optimises your physical and mental health can help keep your migraine at bay Eating healthy meals at appropriate times or consuming small frequent meals throughout the day are associated with less frequent migraine headaches Taking breaks from work at regular intervals can help you eat right and reduce eye strain owing to excessive screen use Making modifications to your lifestyle including smoking cessation and reduced alcohol consumption and maintaining optimal sleeping habits and exercising regularly can be key to manage migraines These also benefit migraine prevention and treatment Talk to an expertIt is important to consult a medical specialist when you are experiencing severe headaches that disrupt your daily routine A lot of migraineurs hesitate to seek medical help This could be due to several reasons lack of understanding of migraine severity lack of time due to hectic workfromhome schedules or recently due to a reduction inperson clinic consultations owing to the fear of Covid19 infection However consulting a neurologist even via teleconsultations is a necessary step to diagnose your condition and understand the available options for acute and chronic management of migraine including preventive treatment With evidencebased information on effects across migraine intensity reduction quality of life and ease of use neurologists can guide you on the most suitable treatment option to prevent or reduce your migraine episodesTrack your migrainesIt is a good idea to maintain a diary or download a migraine tracker app to record the time and severity of your migraine attacks symptoms daily diet exercise routines and medications and side effects This can help identify triggers and patterns It can also prompt meaningful conversations with your doctor contributing to a more holistic treatment plan personalised to suit your work schedule Seek support from your family friends or colleaguesLiving with migraines can make one feel helpless distressed and misunderstood But talking to your friends and family will help them understand your condition better Having an open conversation about your migraine with your employer is a good idea particularly to work out a schedule with specific routine adjustments to mitigate triggers This can help you be productive and healthy while working from home Employers can also take the initiative arranging wellness programmes for employees to raise awareness about migraines and how to effectively manage them at work and enhance productivity Migraine attacks can be challenging Changes to your daily routine and active communication about your condition with your employer after consulting a neurologist can help you better manage migraines as you work from homeAlso Read Here is why asthma worsens at nightThis story has been sourced from a third party 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