The month of June is officially recognized as “Migraine and Headache Awareness Month”. This is a month pioneered by CHAMP, the Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients, dedicated to raising awareness of migraines and headaches, as well as encouraging people to support those dealing with them. Bowtie Kids places a large amount of importance on migraines and headaches as well because we know first hand the amount of suffering that chronic migraines can cause an individual. Chronic migraines are a type of chronic pain that close to 5% of people in the US experience (ClevelandClinic.org). This blog will convey the importance of Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. Together, we can learn how we can support those dealing with this illness.
Migraine and Headache Awareness Month not only exists to help raise awareness of this pain, but also has specific days meant to raise support for different types of migraines that one can have as well as the various types of people that suffer from them. Down below are the 7 days of the month that CHAMP has chosen to be observed. This list can be found on the official website for Migraine and Headache AwarenessMonth: https://www.migraineheadacheawarenessmonth.org/migraine-observance-days/
June 1st- Migraine at Work. This day is meant as a way to show solidarity with those that have to deal with these pains at work.
June 6th- Veterans With Headache Diseases. This day is meant to show support for army veterans that suffer from migraines. “According to MHAM, veterans are more likely to develop migraine and headache diseases, per the Department of Veterans Affairs, and some researchers believe this directly results from their military service.”
June 7th- Remembrance Day. This day is a day meant for us to remember those that suffered chronic head pain which we have lost either through suicide or other means.
June 20th- Headache Diseases and Men. “According to MHAM, 6 to 8 percent of men live with migraines.” It coincides with father’s day, and serves as a reminder that chronic head pain is not picky between genders.
June 21st- Shades for Migraine. This day is one that encourages all to wear purple sunglasses or even regular ones as a way to stand with those that may have to wear sunglasses often to reduce pain.
June 29th- Chronic Migraine Awareness Day. This is the final designated day of raising support for the month, wearing red and purple is encouraged.
A headache is described simply as a continuous pain in the head. A Migraine is defined as a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, Migraines are the 3rd most common illness in the world. Migraines are not just simple pains in the head either, the symptoms they can bring are visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme sensitivity to sound, light, touch and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face (https://migraineresearchfoundation.org). The more support they get, the closer we get to more people being pain free.
Migraines, Headaches, and other pains related to the head is something Bowtie Kids takes very seriously because we work with and support kids that deal with different types of chronic pain every day. We know how hard it can be to suffer a pain everyday that is invisible to others. Chronic Migraines, Chronic tension-type headaches, Hemicrania continua, and Chronic tension-type headaches are all impairments that can be classified as chronic pain and affect millions daily. We highly encourage you to visit https://www.migraineheadacheawarenessmonth.org/ to learn more about the month and its significance in the wellness community.
It is imperative to learn how this illness affects others so we can offer support and remind those who suffer that they are not alone. If you support our cause, please consider supporting Bowtie Kids in any way possible, including but not limited to: supporting our social media presence, donating, or telling friends and loved ones about us. Stopping pains like migraines from happening isn’t a certainty. Yet, being able to support those who suffer from them surely is. Visit Bowtie Kids to learn about different support opportunities that you can get involved with as you find the best way to support children with chronic pain.
