Migraine awareness in the age of screens: time to rethink
In today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, migraines have quietly emerged as a significant public health concern, affecting over 1.1 billion people globally. Recognised by the World Health Organization as one of the top 10 most disabling medical conditions, migraines often remain misunderstood, leading to under diagnosis and inadequate care. The urgency for awareness has never been greater.
Migraines are complex neurological events, often triggered by sensory overload, hormonal fluctuations, or environmental stressors. Symptoms typically include pulsating pain, nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Many individuals also experience warning signs known as auras or visual disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots before the onset of pain. These episodes can last anywhere from a few hours to several days, significantly impairing a person’s ability to function.It is vital to recognise migraines not as isolated incidents but as a multifaceted health challenge shaped by lifestyle, environment, and biology. Greater awareness around symptom recognition, trigger management, and timely medical care can improve quality of life and reduce the broader social and economic burden of this often-invisible condition.
While the ‘why’ of migraines remains complex, one critical fact stands out that women are nearly three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. This gender disparity is primarily due to hormonal fluctuations, especially estrogen’s influence on neurotransmitters like serotonin that regulate pain. Migraines linked to menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause often require personalised treatment approaches combining lifestyle changes and medical intervention.
Beyond physiology, workplace and lifestyle stressors are increasingly contributing to the prevalence of migraines. The modern office, once considered distinct from health discussions, has become central to migraine-related concerns. Long hours on digital devices, poor lighting, inadequate hydration, and constant stress are all common triggers.