Migraines are the third most common disease in the world, and unfortunately people suffer with them every day.
If you’ve ever had one yourself, you’ll know they’re much, much worse than your typical headache.
Severe pain, nausea, vertigo, sensitivity to light or sound and a range of other symptoms can accompany a migraine and when you get one, the best place to be is tucked up in a dark room.
So what do you do if you get one while you’re in the work place?
If you know you are prone to getting migraines there are a number of steps you can take at work in advance, according to The Migraine Trust .
The first thing they recommend you do is tell your boss about your condition.
Their website says: "Telling your employer can seem like a daunting thing to do, especially since there is so much misunderstanding and stigma surrounding the condition. Employers are less able to provide support and understand the condition if they do not know that you experience migraine attacks.
"Formally disclosing your condition means that it will be on your personnel file should there be any changes to management in the future. Your GP may also be able to write to your employer to confirm your diagnosis and any important considerations based on your personal circumstances."
Following this, you should carefully check through your company’s sickness policy to see how they will support you and what to expect if you need to take time off.
At times migraines can warrant a short period of time off work to recover, with most migraines typically lasting from four to 72 hours.
The trust also advises trying to cut down on work-related stress to avoid triggering a migraine.
They explained: "Clear demands, clarity of role and objectives, regular supervision and support through change should all be adopted into management systems to effectively deal with stress in the workplace.
"Many employers have additional offerings in place to promote staff wellbeing. These can range from flexible working policies, employee assistant programs, gym memberships and mentoring programs. Familiarise yourself with your company’s policies on managing stress at work and what you are entitled to in your workplace."
Depending on your work environment, it is also important to consider any environmental concerns which could trigger your migraine.
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If you do find yourself suffering at work, or feel a migraine coming on, make sure to keep your manager informed and do the same if there are any changes to your condition.
The Trust also recommends keeping a paper trail – of absence requests and your medical records as these will be useful to refer to in the future if anything changes at work, for example if there is a company restructure.
If you’re experiencing real difficulties at work, The Migraine Trust also have an advocacy service you can contact for support and detailed advice about migraines and the workplace.
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