Migraine Headache in The Workplace
Employers need to be aware of several important aspects of migraine headache.
1. It is a very common affliction.
2. It is not the same as the tension-type headaches most people experience at some time.
3. Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment will help many, though not all, employees get through acute attacks without lost time.
4. Medicines designed t o interrupt the onset of a migraine typically take at least 45 minutes to act. In the interim, noise and light may worsen the headache, so a quiet dimly lighted place is helpful in recovery and return to duty.
5. An employer who reasonably accommodate these needs, may find a more loyal, productive employee.
Anatomy of Migraine Headache, not a problem with blood vessels as we used to think. An area usually toward the back of the brain, begins using sugar and oxygen slower than the normal rate. This reduced brain activity gradually spreads over the whole brain, taking about 24 hours to reach its maximum. The headache begins about the time the whole brain is involved. Some changes in the rate of oxygen use persist for as long as seven days after the headache. Some migraine suffers notice a sore feeling in the part of their head affected by the migraine for a day or two after the headache, and many complain of a mental fog or loss of (workersxzcompxzkit) sharpness for a while after the headache. Once the headache starts, there is an interplay with chemicals, transmitting nerve impulses causing inflammation, fifth cranial nerve pain receptors and blood vessels producing some of the symptoms.
Migraine is a brain disorder
Migraine is treated prophylacticly with measures designed to decrease the frequency and/or severity of headaches and using abortive measures designed to relieve the headache once it hits. Prophylactic measures begin with a search for migraine triggers. Some people find becoming too hungry causes a migraine. Others say, certain odors will trigger an attack. Sometimes bright or flickering lights will cause migraine. In many people, though, there is no clear trigger. Keeping a diary of record of what one has been eating, drinking or feeling just before an attack may help identify triggers.
Some migraine suffers have fewer attacks if they receive chiropractic treatment. In others, unconsciously clenching the teeth will lead to headaches and may be relieved by special devices fitted by a dentist. Two classes of prescription drugs used mostly for high blood pressure also decrease attacks in some people, even though migraine has nothing to do with high blood pressure. One group of drugs originally used for treatment of depression helps some, even though there is no causal relationship between depression and migraine. A vitamin, co-enzyme Q10, and an over-the-counter preparation, Petadolex7, have proven more effective in trials than prescription medicines.
A group of medicines called the triptans often abort headaches much more effectively than over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. The OTC remedies often block enough of the pain to permit the sufferer to continue work, but do not completely alleviate all of the migraine symptoms. By contrast, when the triptans do work, they stop almost all of the migraine effects. Not all migraine suffers can safely use triptans. For example, people with high blood pressure ideally need monitoring when they take their first dose, to make sure their blood pressure will not rise inappropriately. Certain migraines, notably basilar or hemiplegic migraine, should not be treated with triptans.
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