Findings from a new, multi-national study show that migraine attacks can interfere with leisure and social activities, and sufferers frequently avoid recreation and travel for fear of disabling migraine headaches.

"Migraine can have a devastating impact on family and leisure activities," said Dr Smuts, a local neurologist.

"The personal and social lives of people with migraine are, in effect, dictated by the frequency and severity of migraine headaches, forcing sufferers to cancel special occasions and holiday plans."

The results of the study of 1810 women from nine countries showed that nearly three of five women surveyed missed social engagements because of migraine. Nearly 70 percent said that they were unable to enjoy recreational or leisure activities, and two out of five said that migraines have interfered with holiday plans.

Others reported that migraine causes them to avoid travel and to avoid certain foods and beverages which can trigger an attack.

MELT Study Sampling1
Unable to enjoy recreational or leisure activities because of severe headaches or migraine in the past six months 67%
Severe headaches or migraine cause me to miss out on social activities 56%
Severe headaches or migraine have interfered with special occasions and holidays 40%
Severe headaches or migraine have interfered with vacation or holiday plans, such as summer travel 32%

"Migraine sufferers should not have to suffer the pain of a migraine attack," said Dr Smuts. "If patients aren't getting fast and effective relief, they should continue to talk to their doctor to ensure that they are properly treating their migraine."

About Migraine
Migraine is estimated to affect 18 percent of women, and predominantly affects people in their working years. Migraines are not just ordinary headaches. They are a complex group of symptoms characterized by unpredictable attacks of typically moderate to severe, usually one-sided, throbbing headaches.

Attacks generally last from four to 72 hours and are accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light. Only about 15 percent of migraine sufferers experience aura (visual, sensory or motor symptoms such as flashing lights, zigzag patterns, weakness or numbness that precede the onset of headache). Many patients prolong the pain and disability of migraine through continued use of ineffective, non-specific medications.

Recent comparative studies demonstrate that patients achieved significantly faster, all-day pain relief and returned to normal function more rapidly with migraine specific medications (known as triptans) when compared to alternative therapies such as analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and ergotamines.

For more information on migraine, visit www.mymigraine.co.za. You can also complete the online questionnaire which will help you in finding out whether or not your headache is a migraine.

Reference 1: A multinational study of migraine treatment patterns amongst young, active women; The Migraine Effect on Life and Treatment Study (MELT) October 2003

This article was written on behalf of the manufacturer