Those that suffer from migraine headaches know how debilitating they can be. In addition to the chronic pain and nausea that can accompany a migraine, it can impact your mobility as well. June is National Migraine Awareness Month and the perfect time to consider tools that may prove useful and improve safety during migraine episodes- like mobility aids.
It is estimated that around 39 million Americans live with migraine pain and the symptoms can be debilitating. There are various kinds of migraines, each with distinct as well as similar symptoms and effects. Depending on the type, severity, and frequency of your migraines, you may find that this medical condition is impacting your mobility and ability to safely stand, walk, or move about freely. Since there is a legitimate link between migraine headaches and mobility, it makes sense that mobility aids show promise for improving the safety and quality of everyday life- here is what you should know!
Migraines and Mobility
It would be easy to underestimate the effects of migraine headaches on mobility, but don’t: they are closely connected. Migraine pain can increase sensitivity to light, which may impair vision. Migraine pain also can involve periods of vertigo, but more on that later.
Difficulty moving the head without pain and discomfort are symptoms of migraines that may impede how you move and what your reaction time will be. For this reason, the symptoms of a migraine headache seem to be the perfect storm for a nasty and potentially injurious fall. As you know, a fall for a senior can be catastrophic in terms of holistic health and recovery.
So, what can help?
Many migraine sufferers combat this increased fall risk with aids like canes and walkers for sturdy support when walking or traversing. Stairlifts can provide safe transfers up and down a flight of stairs when vertigo or dizziness impacts stability. Simple solutions like grab bars can provide quick support to minimize the risk of a fall, while a reaching tool may prevent bouts of dizziness from leaning over or over-extending.
Here is a bit more about these migraine symptoms that impact mobility:
Vision
Vision impairment is another migraine symptom that directly impacts mobility. Furthermore, the effects of this decline in visual acuity can contribute to a fall. Some migraines- typically classic migraines- bring about visual disturbances that may include but that are not limited to:
- Light flashes
- Blind spots
- Tingling sensations
- Eye pain
Talk to your doctor about migraine treatment that may reduce the frequency of these disturbances, while also relieving symptomatic migraine pain, as well. They may offer insight into detecting migraine triggers, which can be invaluable for predicting, managing, and circumventing migraine episodes and acute pain.
Vertigo
Vertigo accompanies migraine headache pain in nearly half of those that live with this condition. Vertigo can impact balance and coordination, often leaving you feeling dizzy, nauseous, and lightheaded. If you have vertigo, you may stumble, fall, or lose your sense of balance. It can be very uncomfortable, lasting anywhere from a few moments to days on end.
Some additional symptoms of vertigo during a migraine episode might include sensitivity to movement, motion sickness, vomiting, pressure in the ears, and the sensation of spinning or falling down. Vertigo impacts how you walk and stand, and could be the cause of a nasty fall.
Other symptoms
What are some other symptoms of a migraine? There are a few and they can interfere with mobility, or increase your risk for an injurious fall, including visual disturbances and sensitivity to light. Additionally, migraine pain can radiate making it increasingly difficult to move your head from side to side. Some also experience acute eye pain or fainting spells, which can have repercussions on how you walk, use stairs, or drive.
National Migraine Awareness Month
National Migraine Awareness Month each June is the ideal opportunity to learn more about managing your migraine headaches. This is an observance set aside to gain awareness, understanding, and insight into what triggers your migraine pain- as well as what helps to relieve them, too. Another aim is to encourage those living with migraines, either themselves or those they love, to seek treatment from a healthcare professional. There are new medical treatments available with great potential to can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine symptoms.
Do you live with migraines? Migraines are much more than a mere headache, they are a chronic and painful medical condition that merits medical intervention, management, and treatment. Migraines can affect your mobility, too, often causing injurious falls that may compromise overall health and well-being. Talk to your medical care provider about treatment recommendations and the potential of mobility devices, like walkers and canes, to reduce your risk of a fall. Manage symptoms and maintain mobility with quality aids and equipment from Pacific Mobility. Call or visit today.
President, Husband, Father, Grandfather Graduate of UC Davis- Bio Sci Major- Go Aggies! Jeff has extensive experience in all of Pacific Mobility’s products and services, and specializes in accessibility products as well as stairlifts, ceiling lifts and custom wheel chairs. His hobbies include spending time with family, gardening, mountain biking, exercising and off road motorcycle riding.
24 years as Owner/President of Pacific Mobility Center – selling, installing, and servicing stairlifts, porch lifts, ceiling lifts, pool lifts, handicap ramping, specialty wheelchairs, scooters, power wheel chairs, and other power mobility devices
Certified Environmental Access Consultant since 2008
Licensed General Contractor since 1998
Certified Aging in Place Specialist since 2016
Board Member for Home Access Professionals
Member of Association of Members of the Accessibility Equipment Industry (AEMA)