Migraine
Migraine is more than just a headache. It is a common, severe and painful long-term health condition that affects approximately 1 in 7 people in the UK.
In the UK:
- it is the third leading cause of ill health and disability
- more people live with migraine than diabetes, asthma and epilepsy combined.
The World Health Organization classifies migraine as the 7th most disabling disease worldwide, the 4th for women.
Migraine is the most common neurological condition in the world. It is characterised by moderate to severe head pain that can be made worse by movement and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, noise and light sensitivity and a disruption of daily activities. Some people experience only one or two attacks per year while others suffer on a weekly basis. An attack can last from 4 to 72 hours.
Migraine is most common among adults of working age. An estimated £9,000,000,000 of output is lost from migraine absenteeism and presenteeism per year in the UK, but this can be significantly reduced if people with migraine are supported at work.
With some adjustments and support from an employer, many people can work effectively with migraine
To learn more about the support and resources available to help you manage your condition:
- visit the webpage NHS Grampian - What is migraine?
- the Turas learning site Migraine management | Turas | Learn
- The Migraine Trust webpage Living with migraine - The Migraine Trust