2/10/2012 Migraines

The definition of a migraine is:

A recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.

Yet, if you are like me and suffer from them, there is much more to it.  Some have auras or spinning shapes across their vision, sensitivity of light and noise, but basically it is a bed sentence.  You are literally forced into your bed and wait for the pain to go away.  This is not a headache.  I can't just take two aspirin and make it through.  I literally need silence and a very dark room.  The time frame that this lasts can vary but even after it is done, it takes a few days for you to be able to go through a normal day without exhaustion and if you get any stress, the migraine might come back.

So, what am I ranting about now?

I get tired of trying to explain this phenomenon to the normal society.  When you miss work or school for this, people think you are faking or asking for a day off.  You get chastised.  Put down.  Looked at as a bad employee or student.  Like you don't care.  I would trade anything to get rid of these things permanently.

Did you know...

• In the U.S., more than 28 million people suffer from migraines, according to a 2001 report from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
• Migraine can be considered a disability.

I am a lucky one of sorts.  I don't suffer as often.  I was so upset when I figured our that I suffer about once a month.  But there are people who suffer once every week.  But then, as an employer or school official, would you believe the person who suffers weekly, or monthly?

If you wonder if your "headache" is a migraine, take this quiz.

But PLEASE, if you hear of someone suffering from a migraine, don't think of it as a simple headache.

Oh, and if you want to learn more, check out the site that has the migraine quiz above.  You just might learn something.

Enjoy your cup this morning.  Ponder.  Dream. But always be happy with what you have.  Because tomorrow, it might be gone.