*Disclaimer: This article and its survey findings were made possible by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine. Respondents of the survey were diagnosed migraine sufferers. See your doctor for diagnosis of migraines and migraine treatment options.
As Collegiettes, we are constantly attempting to achieve a balance between sleep, exercise, academics and extracurricular activities. This balancing act certainly causes an immense amount of stress, which can contribute to lack of sleep and ignoring our bodies’ needs.
For those who suffer from migraines, daily tasks can become major obstacles, and for some, the college lifestyle could increase the risk of more frequent migraines. The makers of Excedrin® Migraine commissioned a survey to better understand how millennial migraine sufferers, including collegiettes just like us, perceive and deal with migraines.
In their survey, they found that 40 percent of millennial migraine sufferers say migraines impact their family life, 27 percent say it impacts their relationship with their partner, and 21 percent say it impacts their friendships. As a migraine sufferer myself, I can attest to the fact that migraines are debilitating, and an episode can often lead to cancelling plans made with your partner, friends or family.
On a college campus and in this constantly moving environment, it is no surprise that only half of millennial migraine sufferers surveyed say they are trying to reduce their stress to better manage their migraines. Getting regular sleep, exercising and practicing relaxation methods are a few things we can do to try to reduce migraines—but in a fast-paced college environment, it can be hard to fit it all in.
Dealing with migraines as a millennial is difficult enough, but it certainly doesn’t help when you are trying to explain to a friend, acquaintance or loved one how debilitating migraines can be, and you get responses like “Everybody gets headaches,” “It’s all in your head,” and “Just get rid of your stress.” For those people who don’t suffer from migraines, these may seem like easy solutions to a problem they don’t see as affecting someone’s entire life, but as a sufferer I know how insensitive and inaccurate these responses can be.
If 62 percent of millennial migraine sufferers surveyed would give up social media to never suffer from migraines again, you know this is serious stuff.
With so many millennials suffering from migraines, it’s time to really talk about migraines, migraine triggers and why you shouldn’t feel alone if you suffer from them. We can start by acknowledging those who suffer from migraines, rather than quickly dismiss a person’s debilitating symptoms.
Although smartphone usage is at an all-time high, most migraine sufferers surveyed are not using mobile apps to manage their condition. Download the My Migraine Triggers™ app from the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, which lets you track when you get your migraines and why. It’s easy to use and you can print a log or share it with your doctor right from your iPhone! It’s free and available in the App store and Google Play Store.
To learn more about the Millennial Migraine Report visit Excedrin.com/stories.