Headache & Migraine Survey To Provide Relief For Sufferers

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- HEADACHES and migraines affect up to 15-20 per cent of the population, and a new survey has been completed, providing valuable insight into relief for sufferers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130205/HK53292-INFO)  

Leading health website headache.com.au has completed a survey which explores the success rates of the various therapeutic approaches according to the type of head pain.

The study which ran from June to Dec. 2012, provided useful insight into types of headaches and migraines and the most common therapeutic and drug approaches from relevant site users. Data was collected and analysed from over 400 sufferers. "Head pain is often cited as the most common reason people seek health expert assistance," Dr. Dixon editor of headache.com.au said.

"Most of these cases can be solved – it's a case of knowing where to start.  The survey looked at types of headaches and migraines and success rates of various therapeutic approaches." Dr. Dixon said health professionals who thought laterally knew that many headaches and migraines had more than one cause. "Too often sufferers are diagnosed with a 'common headache' or 'common migraine' after lots of scans, only to be told to take medications," he said.

"The fact is that most sufferers can be helped by looking for underlying causes, usually not pathology, but poor functionality, leading to irritability in the head, neck, jaw, or even systemically. Common examples include neck tension, jaw clenching, eyestrain, poor blood sugar level regulation, food triggers, sinusitis, tension and stress and dehydration. It is important to rule out pathology, but not to limit therapy to medicating for symptoms only when the treatment can usually be taken so much further into addressing the underlying causes," Dr. Dixon said.

In addition to the survey, headache.com.au is also in the process of building a directory of health experts from various fields who can help get to the bottom of the condition. "Unlike other directories that are often about one centre or one profession, this will be a multi-professional directory of health experts relevant to head pain," Dr. Dixon said.  "The directory will cover Australia, New Zealand, and selected international health professionals."

For further information and editorial please see link below / contact the editor.
http://www.headache.com.au/feature-story-archive/194-results-of-2012-headache-a-migraine-survey.html

For further information please contact:
Dr. Jerome Dixon
BAppSc(Chiropractic) BSc(Biochem) MCAA
Editor www.headache.com.au  
Ph: 0417 22 66 78
Email: [email protected]  

Footnote:
Headache.com.au editor Dr. Jerome Dixon graduated from RMIT Chiropractic in 1994, having completed a science degree majoring in Biochemistry, undergraduate studies in Dietetics at Deakin University; and post graduate studies in headache and migraine management.
www.headache.com.au was designed and launched in 2000 due to a need for health care professionals to provide a range of expertise, and work together on individuals suffering head pain, especially where a combination of triggers exists. The site is unique as it brings together the expertise of: Pharmacists; Optometrists; Chiropractors; Ear, Nose and Throat specialists; Neurologists; Orthodontists; Psychologists and Dentists.
www.headache.com.au is an independent and unbiased, group of key health professionals.

Final data interpretation indicates key trends:

Headache sufferers (43% survey respondents):

• AGE: Headaches occur across all ages.
  Neuralgias were found predominantly in the older age groups.
• SEX: Headache respondents were mostly women except
  54% Neck related (Cervicogenic) Headache sufferers were male.
• CAUSES: Neck and Muscular problems were most commonly mentioned.
  Also Eyestrain, Stress, Mood, Posture, Lifestyle and Medical conditions.
• PROFESSIONAL RELIEF: was most commonly found with Chiropractic,
  Physiotherapy, Optometry and GP's-all provided valuable relief.
• MEDICATION: Ibuprofen, Codeine and Paracetamol provided significant relief for
  most headache sufferers.
  Triptans and various other analgesics were used in more extreme cases,
  especially cluster headaches (migraine variant) and Neuralgias.

Migraine sufferers (57% survey respondents):

• AGE: All ages.
• SEX: 80% to 90% Migraine sufferers in the survey were women.
• CAUSES: Diet, Mood, Neck, Stress, Medical conditions, Eyestrain, Heat and
  Dehydration were the most common causes mentioned.
• PROFESSIONAL RELIEF:  most commonly found through consultation with a GP
  also through dietary advice, Optometry, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy.
• MEDICATION: Paracetamol, Aspirin, Codeine and Ibuprofen usually provide relief.
  Triptans were the predominant prescribed medication used.

Overall:

• 75% Respondents were Australian, with the balance from NZ, USA, UK and Asia
• Majority of headache and migraine sufferers are Women
• Most common causes/triggers: include diet, medical conditions, muscular and neck problems, eyestrain, stress, mood, dehydration and heat.
• GP's, Optometrists, Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Dentists most often play a key role in headache and migraine diagnosis, management and relief.
• Various Medications provide useful relief for headache and migraine sufferers.
  Over the counter medications were used by 70-75% sufferers, providing relief in most cases. Prescription Medications were used in more severe or persistent cases.

For further Data analysis and key trends please contact editor/ see below:
http://www.headache.com.au/feature-story-archive/194-results-of-2012-headache-a-migraine-survey.html

Our 2013 survey begins later this  year to investigate medications & supplements in more detail.

SOURCE headache.com.au