*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.
Welcome to college—the land of group projects, exams, late nights in Library West, extracurricular activities, jobs, football games and so much more. With everything going on, it’s hard for us collegiettes to make it through the semester with our sanity—let alone our health—intact.
It’s easy to feel the effects of our hectic lifestyles: We may feel tired and rundown, experience headaches or get sick. On top of that, some of us may even have to cope with migraines.
Migraines are debilitating, can end a fun night at Midtown and can get in the way of plans with friends and family. According to the Millennial Migraine Report (MMR) commissioned by the makers of Excedrin® Migraine, 40 percent of millennials with migraines said they impact their family life and 27 percent said they affect relationships with partners. Nothing ruins a romantic evening like a painful migraine that causes you to leave a movie early or skip out on dinner at a loud restaurant.
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the differences between migraines and headaches, which are far less painful and debilitating than migraines. I personally didn’t understand the difference until one of my best friends started getting migraines. Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine has probably heard one or all of these lines from friends or family: “Everybody gets headaches,” “It’s all in your head,” or “Just get rid of your stress,” which are the last things a sufferer wants to hear.
There are many causes that can trigger migraines and they are different for everyone, including: diet, sleep, exercise, genetics, hormonal changes, and even weather. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to combat migraines. In fact, 62 percent of millennial migraine sufferers surveyed said they monitor sleep to make sure they get enough while 36 percent exercise regularly, according to the MMR.
Other methods suggested by Excedrin® include eating healthy, drinking lots of water and practicing stress relief techniques like yoga or meditation. Take advantage of that power yoga class at 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Student Recreation & Fitness Center. You can also rely on Excedrin® Migraine for migraine relief, but always make sure to use it as directed on the label.
Most people don’t think of mobile applications when they think of resources for dealing with migraines, but they can be helpful! You can use the My Migraine Triggers™ app from the makers of Excedrin® Migraine to keep a diary of your migraines, chart potential triggers and learn more about migraines and what causes them. The diary you keep through the app is printable and can also be shared with a doctor, right from your phone. The app is free, easy to use and available in the Apple app store and Google Play store.
At the end of the day, a little visit to the Student Health Care Center is the best step to take in fighting migraines. If you suffer from migraines, make sure you schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you’re part of the 85 percent of millennial migraine sufferers looking for a better way to treat your migraines, find out more information about the condition at excedrin.com/stories.
Sources:
Excedrin Stories
Excedrin What is a Migraine?