Migraine Fact Sheet for Men

One of the reasons migraine headaches tend to occur with women more than men is because men who experience these severe headaches tend not to get medical attention and thus go undiagnosed. However, men do have migraine headaches. Here are some of the facts.

Statistics

Migraines affect 16% of women and 5% of men. According to some studies, around half of those with migraine do not have a formal diagnosis. It is often seen as “just a headache” and many migraine sufferers of both sexes do not seek medical advice or diagnosis, but this is perhaps even worse for men. Where their health is concerned, men see their role to be a provider, to be in control, and to be able to look after themselves. Men feel the need to struggle on when they are ill and see illness as a sign of weakness, negatively affecting their masculine image. Of course, sometimes the pressures from people can also inhibit men from taking a reasonable course for action when they are ill as opposed to the “grin and bear it” attitude of others. Some men are made to feel weak or not the “macho man” ideal that others have in mind.

Women, on the other hand, are used to discussing their health, for example, by talking with friends, reading magazines, or visiting the doctor for women’s health issues.

More Than an Ordinary Headache

The World Health Organization has rated migraine among the 20 most disabling lifetime conditions. Individuals with migraine are said to have a lesser quality of life than those with asthma. Many individuals who suffer from this headache are silent sufferers and many lose vital work hours because of the condition. In fact, it is estimated that between 10-20% of migraine sufferers are unable to work due to migraine.

Family History

Men who have or have had another family member who suffers from migraine are the norm. For 70-80% of people with migraine, there is a family history. Statistically, people with migraine or a member of their family are more likely to have major depression, epilepsy, anxiety, panic attacks, or psychotic disorders than those without migraine. It doesn’t mean that migraine causes these other conditions, but rather that the chances of having two or more of these conditions is higher.

Migraines in Childhood

A child’s migraine tends to be shorter than an adult’s headache and has symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and aura symptoms that may be more prominent than headache pain.

During their growth spurt, boys tend to experience headaches. They also can start from an earlier age than girls. Paying particular attention to a boy’s diet during their growth spurt, by ensuring he eats regular meals, can be very helpful in preventing migraine attacks.

Watch for Migraine Triggers

To help themselves, men need to be more aware of anything that may trigger a migraine. There are some common triggers like:

v  Changes in routine

v  Missed or delayed meals, eating sugary snacks instead of a balanced meal.

v  Alcohol

v  Too much or too little sleep

v  Stress: also anxiety, excitement and any form of tension or shock, as well as relaxation after a stressful period.

v  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.

v  The environment: weather changes, high humidity, loud noises, etc.

v  Bright or flickering lights as well as glare.

v  Excessive consumption of caffeine or suddenly stopping your caffeine intake.

Since migraine varies from person to person, the things that can trigger a migraine also varies. Genetics can play a role with migraines, but there are also certain factors that can induce migraines. Recognizing those “triggers” can be the key to keeping these awful headaches at bay.

Migraine Diary

To help recognize triggers, men need to keep a migraine diary. Though they may not want to take the time to do this, a migraine diary may be just the ticket to their freedom from migraines. Things to include in the diary are:

v  What and when you eat

v  Any medication

v  Alcohol consumption

v  Vitamins or health products you take

v  Any exercise you take

v  How much sleep you have

v  Other factors such as the weather, social or work activities.

Don’t forget to write if anything different was done prior to the attack; for example, missed or delayed meals. The 6-8 hours before the migraine attack are particularly important to record. It is needful to start writing in a diary now before the next attack and hereafter for about 3-4 months.

If several headaches occur each month, this should be a sufficient time to record any triggers and make an assessment. If headaches are further apart, lengthen this time frame accordingly. If men will keep to this plan, they should start to see patterns in their lifestyle that pop-up before headache attacks. In recognizing these patterns, men can prevent future attacks and help reduce the frequency of their migraines. Then they will be better able to enjoy living.

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