Migraines and College Students Part I: An Overview
As Fall 2022 gets underway, you might find the new stresses of college bring literal headaches. Some people take a break, Ibuprofen, and return to the grind. Others struggle with debilitating pain and nausea without relief from over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience persistent headaches, you might be suffering from migraines.
By Patricia Roy — October 3, 2022
As Fall 2022 gets underway, you might find the new stresses of college bring literal headaches. Some people take a break, Ibuprofen, and return to the grind. Others struggle with debilitating pain and nausea without relief from over-the-counter pain relievers. If you experience persistent headaches, you might be suffering from migraines.
As one of the one billion people worldwide affected by migraine headaches, I know how they disrupt a day. According to The American Headache Society, about 37 million Americans get migraines. Migraines occur among men and women, but are three times more likely in women, with onset usually in the teen years. There is no cure for migraines— though researchers believe links occur between genetics and environment.
What is Migraine?
More than a bad headache, a migraine is a neurological disease accompanied by a moderate to severe headache often (but not always) localizing on one side of the head. Other pain areas include the base of the skull, behind the eyes, or the forehead. This intense throbbing can last hours or days if left untreated. Many patients also report:
- sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
- tiredness, irritability, moodiness, or lack of concentration
- nausea and vomiting
- excessive yawning
- visual disturbance with flashing lights and squiggly lines, called aura
Young adults might try to distinguish migraine from "regular" headaches. Many types of migraine—including pediatric types and others associated with hormonal changes or menstruation—exist. If you get headaches that don't go away even after taking pain relievers or are accompanied by any of the listed symptoms, you might have migraines.
Migraine and Stigma
Society dismisses headaches as mildly annoying distractions that shouldn't derail our ability to work and enjoy life. For most of my life, people low-key accused me of lying or exaggerating my feelings. Many migraine patients will tell you that when they have a migraine, they can't do anything except lie down in a dark, quiet room until the pain recedes.
If you experience migraines, chronically or occasionally, I understand your struggle. You should know that America has recognized migraines within the Disabilities Act as a condition that warrants reasonable accommodation. If you receive a migraine diagnosis, this act protects by law your rights to work and to go to school. However, many employers — and maybe some teachers — still do not know how to support workers and students with migraines.
This article provides an overview of how to recognize if you may have migraines. Though this diagnosis may create frustration, the next article in this series offers ten tips for those suffering from migraines.
Patricia Roy
Patricia Roy is a writer and professor who has helped students succeed for over 25 years. She started her career as a high school English teacher and then moved into higher education at Tuition Rewards member school, Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. Her practical guidance and enthusiasm motivate and inspire students to fearlessly explore their own passions. Professor Roy is also a freelance writer and published poet.
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