One thing we often witness as a chiropractor for migraine pain in WA is the devastating impact of the condition on many people. Not only do migraines affect an individual’s personal, professional, and social life, they also have an effect on the American economy in general.
Migraine Facts and Statistics
Migraines afflict more than 39 million people in the United States alone. As many as 11 million people reported their migraines to cause moderate to severe disability. About 2 to 3 million people have chronic migraines, meaning that they experience headaches for at least 15 days per month. Around 5 million have at least one migraine per month.
Here are more revealing facts you must know about migraines:
- Migraines often occur in people between the ages of 35 to 55
- 70 percent of those with migraines are women
- Women are three times more likely to develop migraines than men
- Approximately 50 percent of migraine cases are undiagnosed
- Migraines are seen more in Caucasians and low-income groups
- In a study, 70 percent said migraines contributed to relationship problems
- 59 percent reported missing social or family events
- 49 percent said they had to limit activities for at least one day
- 91 percent miss work or school during an attack
- 51 percent claim migraines cut their work or school productivity in half
- 69 percent have turned to a primary care physician or another doctor for migraine pain
- 24 percent have gone to the emergency room due to severe migraine pain
- 47 percent who potentially have migraines assumed they had tension, sinus, or another type of a headache
- 6 percent visited a doctor at a hospital due to migraine pain in the last three months
Migraine Symptoms
Some of the common signs and symptoms of migraines are the following:
- Throbbing, pulsating pain
- Pain on only one side of the head
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Light sensitivity
- Sound sensitivity
- Vision changes or blurry vision
- Aura
Other symptoms of migraines can include those listed below:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Cloudy vision or visual disturbances
- Sensitivity to smell
- Weakness
- Stiff or sore neck
The Economic Impact of Migraines
According to the World Health Organization, migraines rank 19th among the leading reasons for disability in the world. It is also important to note that people living with migraines use twice the number of prescription drugs, and they tend to visit the emergency room twice as often than those without migraines.
A particular study reported that the United States loses roughly $5-17 billion per year in lost workplace productivity due to migraines. On average, migraine sufferers miss two days of work per year, while many sufferers continue to work but are less productive. Migraines account for 36 million days of bed rest and 21 million days of restricted activity.
Migraine sufferers spend more on their health care than those without the condition. They have six times as many diagnostic tests. In a month, migraine patients typically spend $145.00 on healthcare costs compared to $89.00 for those without migraines.
What Causes Migraines?
The cause of migraines remains unknown. Every person experiences migraines differently and has their own personal triggers. Some people have an aura before a migraine episode. It is a neurological disturbance – such as numbness and tingling, visual changes, or weakness on one side of the body – that occurs an hour before the onset of a headache.
Brain scans show that migraines may be due to hyperactivity in parts of the brain. Migraines are also believed to run in families. Familial hemiplegic migraine is a specific migraine type where a known genetic deficiency in a kind of protein exists.
Getting Professional Help for Migraines
While doctors often recommend medications, it is best to recognize the underlying cause of your migraines in order to treat it. Research has seen a connection between a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine and migraines.
The C1 and C2 vertebrae serve as protectors of the delicate brainstem. The brainstem facilitates communication between the brain and the body. All signals from the body are sent and received via the brainstem. It dictates the brain how to respond to certain stimuli. When a misalignment exists, the bones put undue pressure on the brainstem, leading to its malfunction. This causes the sending of improper signals to the brain, eventually resulting in migraines.
A misalignment may also cause a kind of blockage in the flow of blood and cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This is another reason for migraines to occur.
Here at Ribellia Family Chiropractic, we help migraine sufferers by using a precise and gentle technique to realign the bones of the neck. It’s called upper cervical chiropractic care. Our method does not involve popping or cracking of the bones. Instead, our way is more natural and encourages the bones to go back to their normal alignment without the use of force. This results in a longer-lasting adjustment. Visit our clinic to see improvements in your migraines after only a few visits.