Offering strategies for relief for millions of headache sufferers across the nation.
Chicago, IL – June 1, 2008 – In recognition of the 15th annual National Headache Awareness Week, the National Headache Foundation (NHF) is announcing a series of events across the country in order to educate the public about types of headache and their impact on daily living, as well as stressing the importance of seeking an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatments. This year’s National Headache Awareness Week takes place June 1-7, 2008. Nearly 21 million people were reached last year through this successful annual campaign.
“One of our primary goals during National Headache Awareness Week is to gain recognition of headache pain as a real and legitimate condition,” said Dr. Seymour Diamond, Executive Chairman of the National Headache Foundation. “Over 45 million Americans get chronic, recurring headaches. Of this number, nearly 30 million have migraine headaches.”
Activities taking place across the country this week include headache screenings, educational seminars led by expert physicians, menstrual migraine awareness events and a 5-part podcast series focusing on women’s headache issues, a radio news release and the launch of a non-profit NHF channel on YOUTUBE.
This year, the NHF is encouraging sufferers to Get a Head S.T.A.R.T on Your Headaches, offering five easy-to-remember strategies for effective headache management and treatment;
Seek diagnosis — Obtaining the correct diagnosis for your headache is the first step toward effective treatment.
Triggers — Identify and track your triggers (e.g., foods, stress, hormonal and weather changes) by keeping a headache diary and share this information with your healthcare provider. Advocate — Be an advocate. Be informed. Be a participant in your headache care.
Resources — Utilize the National Headache Foundation as a resource. Visit www.headaches.org for the latest information about headache causes and treatments, or call 1-888-NHF-5552 . Treatment — Successful treatment may include medications and lifestyle changes. Work with your healthcare provider to find the right plan for you.
For the first time, this year’s campaign is drawing specific attention to menstrual migraines by designating Wednesday, June 4th as National Menstrual Migraine Awareness Day. In support of Menstrual Migraine Awareness Day efforts, the NHF will also be releasing new survey data from a recent poll of its website respondents suffering from menstrual migraine.
Additionally, the NHF is hosting a five-part podcast series specifically addressing women’s headache issues including, Hormones & Headache, Contraception & Migraine, Pregnancy & Headache, Menopause & Headaches and Menstrual Migraine. Podcasts will be available for download during National Headache Awareness Week on the NHF website.
Also the National Headache Foundation has a window installation at 10 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City to raise awareness of headache as a neuro-biological disease. The window space was donated by Executive Health Exams International.
National Headache Awareness Week is sponsored by the NHF through educational grants provided by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, Inc., Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., Pfizer Inc, Map Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Zogenix, Inc., and Capnia, Inc.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HEADACHE FOUNDATION
The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization which exists to enhance the healthcare of headache sufferers. It is a source of help to sufferers’ families, physicians who treat headache sufferers, allied healthcare professionals and to the public. The NHF accomplishes its mission by providing educational and informational resources, supporting headache research and advocating for the understanding of headache as a legitimate neurobiological disease.
For more information on headache causes and treatments, visit www.headaches.org or call 1-888-NHF-5552 (M-F. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).
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CONTACT:
Suzanne E. Simons
Executive Director
National Headache Foundation
(312) 274-2651
ssimons@headaches.org
Ketura Lispi
Vox Medica
(215) 925-9901, ext. 1426
klispi@voxmedica.com
Suzanne E. Simons
Executive Director
National Headache Foundation
(312) 274-2651
ssimons@headaches.org
Ketura Lispi
Vox Medica
(215) 925-9901, ext. 1426
klispi@voxmedica.com
