National Headache Awareness Month

Submitted by Shane on

June is National Headache Awareness Month, and the goal is to raise awareness and help people to better understand the nature of headaches.

Do you know what is and what is not considered normal?

Do you know how you can get help when suffering from chronic or severe headache pain?

If severe or recurrent headaches have been affecting your life or the life of someone close, the following information may help you better understand the affliction and the options that are available to you.

Not All Headaches are the Same

The first thing that everyone needs to understand is that not all headaches are created equal. Some people suffer from only a mild headache every so often. It's annoying, but it goes away and doesn't come back from quite a while. Others suffer from full-blown migraines that re-occur on a frequent basis. Not only are these episodes painful, but they can be extremely debilitating. Oftentimes the individual may be unable to leave the house as light, sound and even smells can intensify the pain and bring on overwhelming bouts of nausea.

How Common Are Headaches?

Headaches are very common, but the severity of headaches can vary greatly from one individual to the next. Needless to say, the mild run-of-the-mill headache is much more common than a full-blown, completely-devastating, head-on-the-bathroom-floor migraine.

According to the National Headache Foundation, approximately 45 million Americans get recurring chronic headaches. The reasons for the headaches can vary. Stress, hormones, and even diet can play a role in the frequency of the headaches you experience. In most cases, it can be helpful to determine that various triggers that cause your headaches and then avoid those trigger as best you can.

Hospital Stay for a Headache?

Not all headaches must be fought in the darkness of a closed and shaded bedroom. It's surprising to many people, but a severe headache can result in a hospital stay. In fact, migraines are the most common type of in-patient headache-related hospital stay, making up more than 60 percent of all hospital stays that indicate headache as the first diagnosis. If a migraine is severe enough that you must go to the emergency room to address it, don't be surprised if you're admitted till the migraine clears.

The Affect on Life

While it may be possible to work through a mild or even moderate headache, those who suffer from migraines are often unable to work due to the severe symptoms that the migraine presents.

Every day, in fact, more than 400,000 people are unable to work due to migraines. Some individuals are unable to maintain any type of work at all due to the frequency and severity of their migraines.

Disability Benefits for Headaches

Fortunately, for individuals who suffer from chronic and severe migraines, Social Security Disability benefits may be able to help. If an individual's migraines are preventing them from performing substantial gainful work activity in spite of prescribed treatment, that person may be able to qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.

If you or someone you know is suffering from chronic, recurring migraines, you should consult with a Social Security Disability advocate or attorney as soon as possible. The professional you speak with will be able to go over your condition with you and your case for Social Security Disability benefits.

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