Migraine, one of the most disabling conditions in the world, affects 37 million men, women, and children in the United States alone. And working as a nurse — a job that requires you to make quick, critical decisions and be on the lookout for signs and symptoms constantly — while having a migraine is far from ideal. Not only can migraines cause severe pain and discomfort, but they can also significantly affect the quality of care you provide patients.
In this article, we discuss what a migraine is and its symptoms, and provide helpful ways nurses can manage their migraines at work and at home.
What is a migraine and what are its symptoms?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a migraine is a headache that causes acute throbbing or pulsating pain that typically manifests on one side of the head. Since migraine attacks can last for hours or days, they can disrupt a person’s daily activities.
Although there are several kinds of migraines, the two most typical categories are:
· Classic migraine (a migraine with aura, which refers to visual, sensory, or motor disturbances that a person experiences before a migraine attack)
· Common migraine (a migraine without aura)
Migraine symptoms
The following are some of the most common migraine symptoms:
· Throbbing pain or pulsating sensations in the head
· Vision distortions (black dots, wavy lines, or tunnel vision)
· Nausea
· Vomiting
· Fatigue
· Mood changes (irritability or sadness)
· Sensitivity to light, smells, and noise
· Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
· Neck pain or stiffness
· Runny or congested nose
Migraine management tips for nurses
Seeing as having a migraine can gravely affect your work as a nurse, it’s important to manage it and its symptoms as effectively as possible. We’ve rounded up some of the most helpful strategies healthcare professionals suffering from migraines can adopt to reduce migraine attacks and minimize symptoms.
Ensure you have OTC migraine medications at all times
Make sure that you always have access to over-the-counter (OTC) migraine medications, as these can reduce the pain associated with a migraine attack that’s underway. There are different kinds of migraine medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and acetaminophen. Ask your doctor which OTC medication and at what dosage are best for you.
Stick to a health and wellness routine
One of the tried-and-tested ways to reduce the chances of getting migraine attacks is to create and stick to a healthy routine. This can include sleeping and waking up at consistent hours, eating healthy meals regularly, and drinking enough water throughout the day. People with migraines must create and abide by healthy lifestyles to tend to the migraine brain, which doesn’t respond positively to change.
Know and avoid your triggers
Migraine can be triggered by different things, such as bright lights, strong scents, weather changes, certain foods, and even alcohol. Learning about and actively avoiding your triggers can help you avoid migraine attacks.
Eat migraine-friendly food
Make sure that you regularly eat migraine-friendly ingredients, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables and lean meats. Foods rich in Omega-3, such as salmon and tuna, can help with pain signaling in nerve cells, while fiber-rich foods, such as beans and whole grains, can help reduce the chances of getting a migraine.
Consider wearing migraine glasses
If your migraine trigger happens to be photosensitivity, you should ask your doctor if wearing migraine glasses is a good fit for you. Migraine glasses are specialized eyewear designed to block certain light wavelengths, ones that trigger migraine attacks, to keep them from happening.
Move your body (and find out which exercise works for you)
Exercising has many wonderful benefits to the body, including reducing the likelihood of getting migraines. It’s important to note that certain high-intensity exercises can trigger migraine attacks in some people, so it’s essential to discover what kind of exercise works best for you. Typically, low- to medium-intensity exercises such as walking, jogging, and yoga are linked to migraine reduction.
As healthcare professionals, nurses often pour their energy into others, but it’s vital to prioritize personal health as well. Nurture your well-being, listen attentively to your body, and take proactive steps to manage stress. By understanding your migraine triggers and managing them well, you can continue to provide the exceptional care your patients deserve while protecting your own health and resilience.
