Chronic headache sufferers not receiving optimal treatment

Imagine suffering from chronic headaches for more than 10 years and still not have found an effective treatment. According to a recent online survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation (NHF), fifty-nine percent of respondents indicated that they have experienced headaches for more than a decade. Fifty-three percent have ten or more headache days per month.

Asignificant paradox exists as 63 percent of headache sufferers use over-the-counter medications (OTC) to treat their headache condition; yet; 67 percent of survey respondents state

that OTC medications are not effective in relieving their headache pain.

"These numbers convey that people with headaches are suffering needlessly. The takeaway message is that headaches are treatable and there are many options available," notes NHF Executive Director Suzanne Simons. "It is important to make an appointment with your healthcare provider to specifically discuss your headache problem if it is impacting your quality of life."

According to the findings of the NHF survey, 68 percent of survey respondents awaken in the morning with sinus congestion.

Slightly more than half (53%) use OTC medications to treat their sinus condition, but only 51 percent believe they are effective. Facial pressure, fatigue and congestion are the most frequently reported symptoms. These symptoms may account for the common misdiagnosis of migraine as sinus headache which is a relatively rare condition.

Among those headache sufferers who reported being diagnosed with allergies (63%), the most common allergens were animal dander, mold, dust, and pollen. Nearly 65% reported that the onset of their allergies would trigger a headache.

The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving headache sufferers, their families and the healthcare providers who treat them; promoting research into headache causes and treatments; and educating the public to the fact that headaches are a legitimate biological disease and that sufferers should receive understanding and continuity of care.

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. CST).