I'M SUFFERING FROM FREQUENT HEADACHES
Living with chronic migraine means having frequent, persistent headaches.
4.9 million people in Australia suffer from migraine. 71% of migraine sufferers are women and 86% are of working age. The overall prevalence of chronic migraine in Australia is 7.61%.
Living with chronic migraine means having:
15
Or more days of headaches each month (also called headache days), including . . .
08
Or more days of headaches that have features of migraines each month . . .
FOR 3
Or more months
This means that you can have chronic migraine even if not all of your headaches are migraines.
Because there are different types of headaches you may find it difficult to recognise chronic migraine. But there is a simple tool that can help – check out the Identifying Chronic Migraine Screener below.
Migraines are headaches that:
- Are usually moderate to severe in intensity
- Are throbbing or pulsating
- Often occur on one side of the head
- Can be accompanied by nausea and/or vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound
- Can get worse by routine physical activity (such as walking or climbing stairs)
- Can be associated with changes in vision or hearing (also known as aura)
- Can last from 4 hours to 3 days
The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Scientists believe that genetics, environmental factors, changes in the brain, and imbalances in brain chemicals may play a role.
IDENTIFYING CHRONIC MIGRAINE (ID-CM) SCREENER
The ID-CM Screener can help start an important conversation with your doctor about your condition.
Complete this tool and bring it to your GP to start an important conversation about your headaches. ID-Chronic Migraine (ID-CM) is based on the screening criteria created by a team of experts. It is designed to help your doctor see if you may have chronic migraine.
Your doctor is the only one who can diagnose chronic migraine.
While the results of this screener may suggest you have chronic migraine, they do not replace a diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional. It’s very important to discuss the results with your doctor.
It can be difficult to remember specific details about headaches and migraines you have experienced weeks or months ago. Learn about tracking your headaches with the easy-to-use Headache Diary below.
ID-Chronic Migraine (ID-CM) is a screening tool based on the migraine criteria as defined by medical experts. It consists of a series of questions about your headache symptoms and frequency, medication use, and the impact of your headaches on your daily life. Your answers can help your doctor assess if you have chronic migraine.
HEADACHE DIARY
The Headache Diary can help you and your doctor better understand your headache patterns.
This tool provides your doctor with important information about your condition, including:
- The number and severity of your headaches
- Your migraine triggers
- The type and amount of over-the-counter and/or prescription medications you may be using
Now that you’re equipped with tools to help your doctor better understand your condition, you may have questions about treatment. Whether you’re considering treatment or have already tried some medications, you may have more options than you think.
To begin tracking your headaches, download the diary. Complete it every day, as accurately as possible, and take it with you to each of your doctor’s appointments to discuss the details.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
If you're living with chronic migraine, there are preventative, acute, and alternative treatment options that can help manage your headaches.
PREVENTATIVE THERAPY
Can help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of headaches
ACUTE
Can help relieve your symptoms after a migraine or headache starts
LIFESTYLE CHANGES AND ALLIED HEALTH SERVICES
May also help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, or help sufferers cope with migraines
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE TREATMENT OPTIONS
Talk to your family doctor or a specialist to find out how preventative, acute, and alternative treatments may benefit you.
Taking acute headache medications – including over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription medications – can result in more frequent headaches. This is called medication overuse headache.
Talk to your family doctor or a specialist to find out how preventative, acute, and alternative treatments may benefit you.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Talking to your doctor is an important step toward finding a treatment that's right for you.
Your doctor or a specialist with experience in treating headache disorders can help you find ways to manage your headaches and migraine.
If you’re suffering from frequent headaches, you could be living with chronic migraine. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and getting a treatment that’s right for you. If you’re currently not seeing a specialist and you think you could benefit from one, find a specialist and ask your family doctor for a referral.
To learn more about chronic migraine, explore Frequently Asked Questions.
To get an important conversation started about your condition and to find a treatment that’s right for you, take your completed ID-CM Screener and the Headache Diary to your next doctor’s appointment. With the information from these tools, together you can more accurately determine the type of headache you’re experiencing and the best course of treatment, which may include preventative and acute medications