There is a lot of terminology to be learned in the field of migraine. And many reasons to make an effort to learn it. For example,
- if you’re new to migraine, and aren’t sure how to verbalize what you’re experiencing
- if you experience symptoms or attacks infrequently, but think it’s time to talk to your health professional
- maybe you have a friend or family member experiencing migraine, and would like to be able to talk with them about it
With that in mind, here are some very basic terms that everyone should know with respect to migraine.
- episodic: “Recurring and remitting in a regular or irregular pattern of attacks of headache (or pain) of constant or variable duration.”
- chronic: “For primary headache disorders that are more usually episodic, chronic is used whenever attacks of headache occur on more days than not over a period longer than three months.”
- aura: “Visual flashes of light, blind spots, shapes or bright spots. Aura can also cause blurred vision or loss of vision. Typically, aura occurs before the head pain of the attack begins, and fully resolves in an hour or less.”
I keep a notebook (of course) as I’m learning new terms. Some of them (like those above) have become really familiar. But there’s such an incredible amount of information out there, and new studies and talks and treatments all the time. A notebook helps me keep up with what’s new (to me) and reminds me of things I’ve already learned.
This week, starting on March 16, 2022, the Migraine World Summit will be presenting the most current migraine information. It’s a virtual event and it’s free. Please take a look at the line-up and see if something looks helpful to you. Join me in my note-taking.
sources
International Headache Society
stationery in the photo
P.S. Still obsessed with this tea.
P.P.S. I made a playlist of some of my favourite songs.
