June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, shedding light on the symptoms and treatment options for headache and migraine.
Migraines and other headache disorders affect more than 40 million Americans, according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), yet they remain among the most misunderstood and underdiagnosed neurological conditions. As the healthcare industry and the field of neurology continue to evolve, raising awareness and improving care for those affected by headaches and migraines has become more urgent than ever.
Nine out of ten people with a migraine reported they could not “function normally” during the days on which a migraine strikes, according to the NHF. Nearly 3 in 10 people require bedrest during a migraine attack.
Many people are misled to believe that a migraine is a bout of “bad headaches,” and that they are psychological or easily treated by drinking enough water, diet changes or medication. A migraine is a type of headache disorder that can be a highly debilitating health condition, often requiring treatment from a healthcare provider.
“The truth is that migraine is a complex neurological condition with various contributing factors or triggers. Most people require a multifaceted, personalized approach to management,” according to Susan Stone, CEO and executive director of the National Headache Foundation.
The NHF started National Headache Week over 35 years ago in 1989 to provide information and promote advocacy on headache disorders, migraine disease and facial pain. In 2011, the Awareness Week became an Awareness Month with the theme of “It’s More Than Just a Headache” to promote advocacy and awareness of each condition.
Since 2018, the NHF has been collaborating with the Coalition of Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP) during June of each year for Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM).
The impact of migraine disease
Migraine is a health condition that significantly impacts patients’ daily lives. The symptoms of a migraine are different from person to person. One of the most common symptoms of a migraine attack is moderate to severe throbbing pain that usually happens on one side of the head.
Migraine is a chronic neurologic disease believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental and neurological factors, said Stone. “As a primary headache disorder, migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling neurological diseases, with 1 in 4 households impacted across the nation.”
“Migraine tends to run in families, with a reported risk of 40% if one parent has a history of migraines, which increases to 75% when both parents have a migraine history and are affected,” said Stone.
Symptoms of migraine may include nausea, vomiting, changes in mood, extreme tiredness, and sensitivity to light, noise, and smells. Migraine attacks may last from hours to days and make it hard for an individual to do everyday activities.
“When a patient visits a healthcare provider for their symptoms, a physical examination helps rule out other potential causes of headache,” said Stone. The healthcare provider evaluates a patient to see if they meet specific diagnostic criteria for migraine or other headache types set by the International Classification of Headache Disorders Third Edition (ICHD-3) – and determines if the cause is primary headache (migraine, tension-type headache, etc.), secondary headache (headache attributed to trauma, infection, etc.) or neuropathies and facial pains.
Several factors may contribute to a patient experiencing migraine symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including environmental factors like sudden changes in weather, sleep disruption, strong smells or fumes, physical and mental stress, and more.
“Lifestyle changes can also impact patient outcomes,” said Stone. “Behaviors like getting consistent sleep, eating a more balanced diet, and exercising regularly can help some patients reduce attack frequency and intensity.”
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders (NINDS), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has researched headaches and migraines to look at things like using different colored room lighting, and adding dietary changes like omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to see if they work for treating migraine.
Treatment options for migraines
Treatment options for migraines include a combination of therapies tailored to a patient’s personal goals.
“The most effective treatment is the one that works for that specific individual,” said Stone. “Headache specialists approach each patient as an individual and partner based on the person’s needs and preferences to develop and implement an aligned treatment plan.”
A personalized treatment plan, according to Stone, includes both acute and preventive treatments. Acute treatments aim to stop an attack once it has already started, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, neuromodulators, and other therapies such as CBT, cold or heat packs, resting in a dark room, and relaxation techniques. Preventive treatment focuses on reducing the frequency and severity of attacks before they begin through lifestyle modifications, prescription medications, neuromodulators, supplements, and nerve blocks.
“Educating patients and care partners about the nature of migraine and identifying individual contributing factors and triggers is essential for effective management and self-advocacy,” said Stone. “A personalized plan can help patients manage their condition more effectively.”
Advocacy for migraine patients
According to the NHF, steps to facilitate migraine care include scheduling a dedicated appointment to see a healthcare provider, tracking and sharing symptoms at the appointment, getting a correct diagnosis, finding treatments that meet a patient’s personal goals, and requesting a specialist referral when needed.
“By actively communicating your symptoms and experiences to demonstrate the impact and disability that migraine disease has on your daily life, you can help ensure that your condition is acknowledged and treated with the urgency it deserves,” said Stone. “Remember that your health is paramount. Use all available resources to ensure you receive the attention and care you need for better outcomes.”
Stone also emphasizes the importance of managing the stigma associated with migraines to reduce barriers to care and allowing impacted patients better access to the healthcare resources that they need and deserve.
“The attacks are real, are misunderstood by many, can happen without warning, and are very inconvenient to patients’ lives,” according to Stone. “Connecting patients and care partners with support and resources can help them cope with the challenges of living with migraine.”
This June, NHF’s campaign for Migraine and Headache Awareness Month includes a social media campaign based around the themes “Invisible Disease. Real Symptoms.”, “Headache. Not Just Head Pain,” and “Your Path to Better Days,” which aim to shed light on the reality of living with migraine, so everyone that needs care, gets timely access to effective diagnosis and treatment.
To learn more or get involved, visit headaches.org and follow NHF’s #MHAM2025 campaign on social media.