National Headache Foundation Offers Tips for Headache Sufferers To Overcome Barriers to Effective Headache Treatment
Many headache sufferers encounter barriers when searching for effective treatment. The National Headache Foundation offers tips to overcome these barriers.
Contact:
Suzanne E. Simons Brent Roberts, Bruce Kaufman or Cori Albrecht
Executive Director Merton G. Silbar Public Relations
National Headache Foundation (847) 729-7333
(773) 388-6395 broberts@silbarpr.com or bkaufman@silbarpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Headache Foundation Offers Tips for Headache Sufferers
To Overcome Barriers to Effective Headache Treatment
Chicago, IL – For Approval Oct. 20, 2003 -- More than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic, recurring headaches. Many sufferers report that the pain and associated symptoms of this disease can be so severe that their ability to perform normal daily activities is impacted. Although headache is a highly treatable biological disease, many people who have headaches are not under the care of a healthcare professional for their condition.
According to Dr. Richard Lipton, a headache specialist from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, many headache sufferers never seek medical advice. "That group comprises one third of sufferers, or over 9 million Americans," he stated. "Those who never seek care can be divided into two groups; those whose headaches are relatively mild and who are well treated with over-the-counter medications, and those who have significant disability and would benefit from treatment."
Many of the barriers to effective treatment which headache sufferers encounter are self-imposed. Often, headache sufferers do not regard their pain as severe enough to seek help from a healthcare professional. Dr. Lipton attributes some of these attitudinal barriers to learned behaviors. "Many headache sufferers who do not seek medical attention come from migraine families. They often grow up in a house where mom or dad once or twice a month gets a severe headache, goes to bed, draws the shades and maybe vomits," Dr. Lipton said. People who grow up in a house like that believe that headaches are a cross to bear. They think that is how life with headache is supposed to be."
Still other sufferers try unsuccessfully to self-medicate. They may attribute their headaches to stress, tension, allergies or sinus problems and seek relief from OTC medications. Oftentimes these sufferers would be aided with a proper headache diagnosis and prescription treatment to manage their headache problem.
In an effort to assist headaches sufferers, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) has created the following tips to help people obtain appropriate treatment from their healthcare providers.
1. Recognize that you have a condition that can be successfully treated.
Headaches are a legitimate biological disease and sufferers should receive understanding and continuity of care. "For the people who have never sought care, you need to know that headaches are almost always treatable medical conditions," stated Dr. Lipton. There is an array of medicated and non-medicated treatment options available today once you consult with a healthcare professional"
2. Make an appointment to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
The NHF recommends making a separate appointment to discuss your symptoms so that your healthcare provider can properly diagnose your headache type. Prior to your initial visit, you should keep a headache diary. Your diary should include, among other things, the date and time each headache occurs, type, location and duration of the pain, dietary intake and medication use. A sample headache diary is available at www.headaches.org.
3. Become informed about your headache type and treatment options.
When you arm yourself with information about your headache and available treatments, you will help others understand that headache is a legitimate, biological disease, and that you should be viewed as someone seeking appropriate treatment. As a headache sufferer you deserve respect for your condition and timely and effective treatment for your pain and associated symptoms.
4. Partner with your healthcare provider in decision-making regarding your care.
When seeking treatment for your headache, start with your primary care physician. Discuss his or her experience with headache patients and approach to headache diagnosis and treatment.
· Ask about his or her philosophy for treating headaches and the approach that will be taken in treating yours.
· Ask how much time you should allow before expecting results.
· Ask your healthcare provider if you should be referred to a headache clinic or headache specialist.
"It is important to recognize that headaches are treatable," stated Suzanne Simons, executive director of the National Headache Foundation. "Find a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about headache and partner with that individual to develop an effective treatment program for you. If your primary care doctor cannot help you, don't give up, find a healthcare provider who can."
There are many types of headache and the variety of symptoms among individual sufferers often varies. The availability of effective treatment options has increased dramatically. The NHF urges headache sufferers to be active in their headache management and work to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches to enjoy a better quality of life where headaches are under control.
The National Headache Foundation (NHF), founded in 1970, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving headache sufferers, their families and the healthcare providers who treat them; promoting research into headache causes and treatments; and educating the public to the fact that headaches are a legitimate biological disease and sufferers should receive understanding and continuity of care.
To learn more about headache causes and treatments visit the NHF Web site at www.headaches.org or call 1-888-NHF-5552 (M-F, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST).
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Interviews with headache specialists and patients can be arranged upon request.
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