Think about how many workdays are lost to migraines, you get those calls, “can’t come in, have a migraine”. For those of you who suffer from migraines, my heart goes out to you and for those who have to cover call-ins, my heart goes out to you as well! On a serious note, migraine is common, and it can be associated with significant long-term, negative outcomes! I am one of the lucky people on earth who has never had a migraine and rarely has a mild headache however I know many people who are debilitated by them.

Sure, there are tons of home remedies, preventive steps like avoiding red wine and aged cheese, however, at the end of the day, most people have no idea what the triggering cause of their migraine was. There are also as many “treatments” as there are suggestions for prevention however most sufferers will tell you that simply lying quietly in a dark room is the best treatment for them. In a recent article the conclusion was that there are several acute treatments for migraine and some nonpharmacologic treatments however, migraine continues to challenge healthcare professionals.

At the end of the day, migraines are as individual as the person suffering with them. Many clinicians will tell their patients to keep a diary, log what they have eaten, had to drink, stressors that presented that day, lighting (some people react to fluorescent lights), etc. to assist in identifying possible triggers. With regard to treatment, that is also very individual and should involve an active conversation with your attending physician. I’m sorry I can’t share pearls of wisdom that will stave off your next migraine! Stay well, stay informed, and stay tuned!