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Friday, March 29, 2024

More than just a headache

Over two-thirds of retail workers (70.2 per cent) have migraines triggered by stress, according to new research commissioned by Nurofen and supported by Headache Australia.

The three most common symptoms of migraine suffered by customer service workers are sensitivity to light (92.4 per cent), nausea or vomiting (84.7 per cent), and throbbing or pulsing pain in the head or neck (73.6 per cent).

The research also found 60.5 per cent of those with migraine say their migraine condition has impacted their mental health. Almost three quarters of respondents believe their migraine to have impacted their levels of happiness.

Misunderstanding migraines

The findings are published in ‘The 2019 Nurofen #MYgraine Report’. The report says that while more than 4.9 million Australians suffer from migraine or migraine attacks, there remains significant misunderstanding by the broader population around the physical and emotional impact of this condition.

According to the report, 28 per cent of Australians experience a migraine at least once a week and almost a quarter of migraine attacks last between six and 12 hours.

Reportedly, 53 per cent of the 18-50-year-olds surveyed and those who work full-time (52 per cent) believe they suffer from migraine.

Headache Australia CEO Trevor Thompson said: “Migraine is a prevalent condition experienced in a variety of ways by almost five million Australians. Our research highlights the disconnect between the perceived realities and lived experiences of migraine.”

Mr Thompson adds that ‘The 2019 Nurofen #MYgraine Report’ aims to reduce this disconnect by increasing knowledge and awareness of the condition and its symptoms.  

Migraine physical symptoms, according to the report

  • Sensitivity to light (64.3 per cent).
  • Nausea and vomiting (48.6 per cent).
  • Sensitivity to movement (45.3 per cent).
  • Visual disruptions (43.1 per cent).
  • Vertigo or dizziness (36.8 per cent).

“There is an obvious discrepancy between the perceived experience of migraine by non-sufferers and how respondents who identify as having a migraine actually feel,” Mr Thompson said.

“We know from the research there’s a lack of empathy with only a quarter of those who don’t experience migraine claiming they wish they better understood.”

The report, which was supported by Headache Australia, collated findings of an independent consumer study, which included 1,210 adult Australians who do and do not claim to suffer from migraine.

It was commissioned by Nurofen in-line with Headache and Migraine Awareness Week (September 9-13, 2019).

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