{"id":37506,"date":"2022-11-28T10:58:35","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T10:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/touchneurology.com\/?post_type=insight&p=37506"},"modified":"2022-11-28T10:58:35","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T10:58:35","slug":"why-change-is-needed-for-children-and-young-people-living-with-migraine-in-the-united-kingdom","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/touchneurology.com\/insight\/why-change-is-needed-for-children-and-young-people-living-with-migraine-in-the-united-kingdom\/","title":{"rendered":"Why change is needed for children and young people living with migraine in the United Kingdom"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rob Music, CEO, The Migraine Trust, United Kingdom<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"Rob Music joined The Migraine Trust as Chief Executive in February 2021. He has over 30 years\u2019 experience working for healthcare charities, starting out as a fundraiser, and before his current position he held similar roles at Jo\u2019s Cervical Cancer Trust and Endometriosis UK. Despite being so common migraine has been poorly invested in and the patient pathway can be a long and challenging one. Rob is determined to see improvements in migraine care, treatments and access for the 10m living with migraine, and for the charity to be a key voice in calling for positive change.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Migraine Trust works to help people affected by migraine. It is the only UK migraine charity providing information and support, campaigning for awareness and change, and funding and promoting research. The Migraine Trust has been leading and bringing the migraine community together to change this since 1965.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Summary<\/h2>\n

Migraine is a neurological condition affecting 1 in 10 children and young people, yet is often overlooked. To ensure children with migraine in the United Kingdom (UK) are better supported and able to live the lives they want, change is urgently needed in both education, healthcare settings and the wider society.<\/span> This article highlights research conducted by The Migraine Trust<\/a><\/span>, in the report \u2018Dismissed for too long: The impact of migraine on children & young people<\/em><\/a><\/span>\u2019, it also discusses health education and government guidance across the UK.<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Migraine is a severe and painful long-term brain disorder. People with migraine have migraine attacks, which can be a whole-body experience. Migraine affects 10 million people in the UK and is too often dismissed as \u2019just a headache\u2019, despite the huge impact it can have on all aspects of a person\u2019s life, from school and work to mental health.1<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

While migraine can have a significant impact on the lives of adults, its impact on children can be even more severe. An estimated one in ten children live with migraine.2<\/sup>\u00a0 This potentially limits their development and ability to take part in education, social activities, and other important parts of growing up. It can also be hard for children to understand and explain their pain, and there are fewer treatment options for them than adults.<\/p>\n

Common symptoms of a migraine attack include head pain; changes to eyesight such as seeing flashing lights; sensitivity to light, sound and smells; fatigue; and feeling sick and being sick. Four in 100 children are affected by abdominal migraine, which involves severe stomach pain instead of head pain.3<\/sup> When a child has a migraine attack, they may not be able to function normally.<\/p>\n

Dismissed for too long. The impact of migraine on children & young people – Summary of the Report<\/h2>\n

Research reported by The Migraine Trust, entitled \u2018Dismissed for too long: The impact of migraine on children & young people<\/em><\/a><\/span>\u2019, has shown a need for better understanding of how migraine impacts children and for tailored information, guidance and support for children and young people of different ages who have migraine in the UK.4<\/sup> The report highlighted that children and young people, particularly younger children, often need help in explaining their migraine and need to be included in discussions about their treatment. It also found there needs to be improved communication between health services and schools\/colleges.4,5<\/sup><\/p>\n