Tackling migraines head on is key to dealing with the disorder

Migraine is the world’s sixth most disabling disease, but steps can be taken to tackle a disorder that sees 500,000 work days lost yearly, writes David O’Mahony

Imagine your head being stuck in a vice for days on end. Movement makes you want to vomit (when you can move). Now add throbbing, spots in front of your eyes, confusion, a lack of co-ordination, or being unable to even stand. In a worst-case scenario you could be paralysed or lose consciousness. When you recover you feel half dead.

Welcome to migraine country. The WHO considers migraines to be the sixth most disabling disease in the world. Surprised? I can understand why. But when you can’t stand or function because of a pain in one side of your head, that’s pretty disabling.