Men and Migraines

It is well known that migraine affects more women than men. Compared to sixteen percent of women, migraines affect only five percent of men. Some studies show that around half of those with migraines have not been diagnosed by a health care provider. Migraines are often seen as “just headaches” and many migraine sufferers do not seek medical advice or diagnosis, but this is worse for men. This is due to the fact that most men feel the need to struggle on when they are ill and see illness as a sign of weakness, negatively affecting their masculine image.

More than “Just a Bad Headache”
Migraines are severe, debilitating headaches that can cause some peoples live to virtually stop once an attack begins. Furthermore, attacks may last for hours or even days. Of those who suffer from this disabling condition it is estimated that between ten to twenty percent of migraine sufferers are unable to work due to migraine. Shockingly, people with migraine are considered to have a lower quality of life than people with asthma.

What is a Migraine?
Migraines are a complex condition with a wide variety of symptoms. For many people the main problem is the excruciatingly, painful headache. Other symptoms include disturbed vision (auras), sensitivity to light, sound and smells, feeling sick and vomiting. Migraines can be very horrifying and may result in having to lie still for several hours. Migraine tends to occur for the first time when you are in your teens or early twenties although many start getting migraines as children. Although migraines are more prevalent in women than men, children who experience migraines are more likely to be boys than girls up to the age of twelve years.

Migraines in Childhood
Boys tend to experience headaches from an earlier age and, typically, while they are going through their growth spurt. Paying special attention to a boy’s diet during this time, by ensuring he eats regular meals, can be very helpful in preventing migraine attacks.

What Causes A Migraine?
Migraine is a complicated condition, which varies widely between individuals. Just as the symptoms of an attack vary from person to person, so can the things that trigger your attacks. Often you can manage your migraines by being aware of what is triggering them and then taking steps to control these triggers. Triggers can include:

• Changes in daily routine
• Missed or delayed meals; not eating a balanced, nutritious diet.
• Alcohol consumption.
• Too much or too little sleep.
• Stress – also anxiety, excitement and any form of tension or shock, as well as relaxation after a stressful period.
• Travel – triggers such as stress, lack of sleep and missed meals can be present when travelling. You might also experience jet lag and air pressure changes when flying.
• The environment – weather changes, high humidity, loud noises, etc.
• Bright or flickering lights as well as glare.
• Excessive consumption of caffeine or suddenly stopping your caffeine intake.

Specific Cause of Migraines for Men
Due to men’s typical lifestyles and physical history patterns, they have may have a completely different set of reasons or causes for their migraine headaches in comparison to women. Some of these causes are atypical, but they are still worth noting for someone who is living with debilitating migraine headaches on a regular basis. Some of these causes are:

• Structural.
• Vascular.
• Sexual.
• Work Stress.

Why Should I See a Doctor?
Although there isn’t a diagnostic test for migraines, it is still important for men seek a diagnosis in order to rule out anything more serious which may be causing the symptoms they are experiencing. The diagnosis will depend upon your doctor taking your medical history and ruling out other causes for the attacks. Before men start any form of treatment, they need to be sure that they are being treated for the right condition. A confirmed diagnosis of migraines and appropriate treatments can help prevent some attacks from occurring and help men to control the remaining attacks more effectively. It is important for migraine-sufferers to remember that migraines are a chronic condition and there is currently no cure. Therefore, it is important that men take their condition seriously and follow through with lifestyle changes in order to have a better quality of life.

Tags: blurred vision, dizziness, head pain, lightheadedness, migraine symptoms, nausea, vomiting