Did you know that June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month?
Migraine is a primary headache disorder characterized by recurrent headaches that are moderate to severe.[1] Typically, the headaches affect one half of the head, are pulsating in nature, and last from two to 72 hours.[1] Associated symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smell.[2] The pain is generally made worse by physical activity.[3] Up to one-third of people have an aura: typically a short period of visual disturbance which signals that the headache will soon occur.[3] Occasionally, an aura can occur with little or no headache following it.[4]
Migraines are believed to be due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors.[5] About two-thirds of cases run in families.[6] Changing hormone levels may also play a role, as migraines affect slightly more boys than girls before puberty and two to three times more women than men.[7][8] The risk of migraines usually decreases during pregnancy.[7] The underlying mechanisms are not fully known.[9] It is, however, believed to involve the nerves and blood vessels of the brain.[6]
Migraines can also manifest from work injuries, such as blunt trauma to the head. Some people work in prisons and institutions and schools where there are individuals who become violent or act out due to mental illness. If the workers are exposed to such activity and sustain work injuries as a result of the same, then migraines can certainly occur. Other injuries associated with these are loss of eye sight, dizziness, balance issues, physical cuts and bruises, just to name a few.
If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury or injuries, then you know how devastating these can be. A lot of times, a certain type of therapy is needed, which is referred to as vestibular therapy. This type of therapy helps individuals with balance and dizziness, often associated with migraines. Think about it for a minute; if you are suffering from these symptoms, you cannot drive, focus, and most likely cannot return to work in your regular job capacity, or any job capacity for that matter. Make sure you get the proper treatment for your work injury, and know your rights under the PA Workers’ Compensation Act, with the guidance of an experienced attorney.
For a more involved discussion of migraines, please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migraine
