07 Sep 2009

Police, nurses get migraine help

Migraine experts are offering South African policemen and nurses affordable treatment for crippling headaches that make their already stressful jobs, even harder.

To mark International Migraine Awareness Week (6-12 September), The Migraine Research Institute and The Headache Clinic have launched a new community service for South African Police personnel and registered nursing staff.

The aim is to raise awareness of this much misunderstood condition and to encourage those affected to seek information and advice.

Dr Elliot Shevel, chairman of the South African Headache Society, founder of The Headache Clinic and Health24’s Headache Expert, explains: “It takes a very special type of person to become a nurse or police officer, someone who is willing to give and who asks very little in return.

“These people work in highly pressurised environments and can’t afford to let their levels of service decrease due to incapacitating migraine. Starting in Migraine Awareness Week, we will be treating all registered South African nurses and all South African police personnel at cost, which is about 50% of the usual cost of diagnosis and treatment. This is in recognition of the outstanding contribution they make to society.”

The Headache Clinic offers the following advice to migraineurs (people who suffer migraine attacks):

Sometimes small adjustments to your computer or driving posture can make the world of difference.
Keeping a migraine diary of your diet or your medications can unlock vital information for resolving your pain permanently.
From this week, ergonomic diagrams for computer and driving posture, and both diet and medication diaries have been made available for download free of charge on The Headache Clinic’s website www.headacheclinic.co.za

Pain associated with migraine can seriously impact an individual's quality of life both through pain and through feelings of isolation. Support and information is available free of charge by specialist migraine nursing staff on 0861 678 911.

Adapted from a press release from the Migraine Research Institute and The Headache Clinic

Health24, September 2009