Migraine is a common, disabling, costly, underdiagnosed, and underdiagnosed disease. It is a pathology that is sometimes underestimated and misdiagnosed in daily clinical practice, which significantly affects the quality of life of those who suffer from it.
Without adequate treatment and good lifestyle habits, migraine frequency can go from mild to chronic. Chronic migraine is a headache that occurs for 15 or more days and for at least 3 months. Its main symptoms include: sharp stabbing pain or a throbbing sensation on only one side of the head, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, certain smells and/or sounds.
According to Dr. Fidel Sobrino, neurologist and president of the Colombian Association of Neurology (ACN), there are some risk factors for the development of migraine, such as modifiable: excessive use of analgesics, overweight, caffeine intake, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety. . , among others; and non-variables such as age, being female, and/or being white.
Migraines can also go into periods of dormancy once they are controlled, so early diagnosis and treatment is essential. It is noteworthy that the transition from episodic migraine (EM), which occurs when pain lasts between 4 to 14 days, to chronic form, is a gradual process over time. It is estimated that, each year, approximately 2.97% of people with the condition progress from episodic migraine (EM) to chronic migraine (CM). (Read here: Four essential technologies in hearing aids)
People with chronic migraine are twice as likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Additionally, they are at greater risk of respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as heart conditions, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol levels and obesity.
Companies can be certified as migraine-friendly places
It is estimated that the severity of migraine causes disability that alters work efficiency and productivity. Additionally, studies estimate that 62% of patients have tried to hide the effects of migraine at their workplace due to fear of stigma. That is why the Colombian Association of Neurology and the biopharmaceutical company AbbVie unite to promote healthy and friendly work places that reduce the impact of this disease on employees through the certification program “A Migraine-Friendly Workplace”.
“With this program, we want to strengthen companies with greater awareness and visibility of migraine in the workplace. Certification helps them create a culture of well-being in the workplace in which productivity improves and employees feel supported and respected,” explains Eduardo Leyva, manager of AbbVie.
According to a study about employment implications, disability and use of health services due to migraine, in Colombia it leads to the loss of an average of 7.31 hours of paid work and 7.5 hours of unpaid work, equivalent to one active working day per month. Is. every person; That is, a loss of 1,650 hours of work per year for every 1,000 inhabitants in the country.
“Migraine-Friendly Workplace” is a free special health support program in which companies can find assistance to strengthen their practices, policies, knowledge and support against migraine cases within the organization. This initiative includes a phase of education, diagnosis and screening aimed at guaranteeing and promoting a preventive and wellness environment to employees.
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