June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM). Today aims to raise awareness, eliminate stigma, and strengthen community bonding for those within the headache, migraine, and cluster communities. For 2023, MHAM’s theme is Educate Yourself, Educate Others. Here is some general information and resources about headaches and migraines and their impact on the headache community.
The word “headache” is a broad term used to describe pain in the scalp, head and neck. There are many different types of headaches. They may be primary conditions such as tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches, or they may occur due to underlying health conditions. Tension headaches are caused by tense muscles around the head and neck, often due to stress, anxiety or depression and typically feels like dull pressure around the head. Tension headaches may also be triggered by alcohol, too much caffeine or caffeine withdrawal, dental problems such as frequently grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, eyestrain, keeping your head in one position for a long time or not getting enough sleep.
The exact cause for cluster headaches isn’t known and, unlike tension headaches, they’re not associated with many triggers. These types of headaches are characterized by sudden, recurring attacks known as cluster periods, which can last from days to months and are followed by a remission period when the headaches stop. A cluster headache consists of extremely severe pain situated in or around one eye that can spread to the rest of the face, head, and neck.
A migraine headache is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of moderate to severe head pain, often accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound, and sensitivity to smells. Some individuals may also experience them due to visual disturbances, such as flashing lights or blind spots, known as an aura. Migraines can be disabling and can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life, causing them to miss work, social activities, and experience reduced productivity and overall well-being. These headache episodes can last for hours or even days. Migraine pain is usually described as throbbing or pulsating and is often felt on one side of the head, however, it can also affect both sides. Although migraine affects three times more women than men, it can be equally disabling in both genders. Migraine often starts at puberty and mostly affects adults in their productive years, but it can also be present in children and the elderly.
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