The event organized by the CREDU Association in partnership with the Headache Society Romania will take place on September 12 at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Bucharest, starting at 11:00 AM.
The International Migraine Awareness Day is celebrated annually across Europe on September 12! It is an opportunity to raise awareness about this complex neurological condition, which affects between 12-15% of the population. Migraine is largely under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, but we are witnessing an exciting period in which new information and therapies are emerging internationally, profoundly changing its management. Therefore, it is important for these aspects to be known by patients, caregivers, and the general public, as with specialized support and understanding, life with migraine can be improved!
The CREDU Association, in partnership with the Headache Society Romania, is running a broad awareness campaign covering aspects related to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of migraine. On September 12, a day-long marathon event will be held, in a physical format, at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Bucharest, where 15 specialists—neurologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and expert patients—will discuss theoretical and practical aspects of the condition.
“Migraine is one of the most common primary headache syndromes, a genetically encoded pathology in us, a part of our lives since the dawn of humanity. Today, after perhaps hundreds of thousands of years of unanswered suffering, we have at our disposal a vast therapeutic arsenal to control the disease. In this new era, which has only recently begun, this is perhaps the first time in history that migraine can and should be fully controlled. This is a moment of major change, of reform, when treatment guidelines are evolving, health systems need to adapt to the new wave of therapies, doctors must change their approach, and patients must become part of the process of controlling symptoms. It’s a period full of optimism and excitement, in which we are responsible for being active participants,” says Dr. Vlad Tiu, a neurologist at Elias Emergency University Hospital and former member of the Headache Scientific Committee of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN).
This year, CREDU is introducing a new free online questionnaire, allowing anyone suffering from headaches to find out if what they are experiencing could be diagnosed as a migraine. This can be found on the website despremigrena.ro and social media platforms.
At the same time, a video animation highlights the triggers and factors that patients can avoid. Diet or irregular meals, stress, sleep, intercurrent infections, certain oral contraceptives, hormonal imbalances, certain forms of physical activity, and weather changes, among others, influence the daily lives of people with migraines, requiring intervention strategies for better management. These do not replace, but complement, acute and preventive treatment.
“In migraine, headache is just the tip of the iceberg. Migraine is not just a simple headache, but a complex neurological disorder involving changes in brain function and can be associated with other pathologies. Migraine is one of the main causes of disability in young adults,” says Dr. Bogdan Pană, a migraine specialist neurologist at Emerald Medical Center.
“Migraine affects millions of people worldwide, with a profound impact on quality of life. It is not just a severe headache but a debilitating disease accompanied by various other symptoms that can last from a few hours to several days. However, current therapeutic options and migraine management strategies provide real solutions for patients with migraines. It is essential for those suffering from migraines to consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment, which can transform a life of suffering into a normal life. For many of those affected, migraine significantly interferes with daily activities, intellectual work, and social relationships,” adds Dr. Elena Terecoasă, a migraine expert neurologist at the Bucharest Emergency University Hospital.
Migraine has a profound impact on quality of life, both personally and socially, affecting education, social activities, and careers. Migraine is important for society and employers because it primarily affects adults in their productive years. It has been shown to be the second most frequently identified cause of short-term employee absenteeism, not to mention presenteeism (inefficiency at work during migraine attacks). Globally, it is the second leading cause of years lived with disability, and the leading cause of disability among young women.
The main issues related to stigma stem mainly from the public’s lack of understanding, and this is also the focus of this year’s campaign #EuSunt #IamAPersonWithMigraine, conducted on social media through a contest.
“I am strong. I am capable. I am efficient. I am willing. I am a fighter. I am resilient. I am so normal. I am a person with a migraine, and I am proud of myself. We are proud of ourselves. Stigma exists only in the minds of others until we can free ourselves from it,” says Cristina Vlădău, a migraine patient and migraine project manager at the CREDU Association.
By increasing awareness of the impact of migraine, the lives of people with migraines and their caregivers can be improved! On this Migraine Action Day, #MigraineActionDay, you are invited to join the global effort to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those with this common neurological condition in Romania as well!
The #DespreMigrenă campaign is supported by sponsors Lilly/Organon, Pfizer, and TEVA.
#MigraineAwarenessDay2024
Facts about migraine
Migraine is a complex neurological condition, recognized worldwide as the leading cause of years lived with disability in people under 50, the leading cause of disability in young women, and the second cause of disability globally. It is estimated that 2.3 million Romanian adults live with migraines of varying severity (1 in 7 people). Migraine often begins at puberty and predominantly affects adults during their productive years, but can also be present in children and the elderly. Migraine does not discriminate, affecting people from all social backgrounds and professions.
Internationally, 90% of patients are managed with the help of general practitioners, 9% with the help of outpatient neurologists, and only 1% have severe forms that require the intervention of a migraine expert neurologist. In Romania, there are no statistical data regarding migraine diagnosis. The vast majority of migraine patients do not seek medical attention, either from a family doctor or a neurologist, but instead, self-diagnose and unfortunately self-treat. A large number of patients who enter a pharmacy for headaches do not have a definite diagnosis or specialist recommendation, relying on information from TV, friends, or neighbors.
Fortunately, research in brain health has made rapid progress in recent years. There are clear diagnostic criteria for this neurological condition, and, more importantly, new classes of targeted treatments have emerged. There is no universal cure for migraines, but the severity of attacks can be reduced, and steps can be taken to prevent headaches. In Romania, we already have access to new therapies, such as gepants and monoclonal antibodies. Access to new therapies is challenging, but it offers hope for patients, and awareness campaigns must inform the general public about the importance of re-evaluating and managing migraines.
Acute treatment involves non-specific medications (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antiemetics) or specific anti-migraine medications, available by prescription, such as triptans or, more recently, ditans and gepants.
Preventive treatment, recommended for patients with severe, frequent, and disabling attacks, aims to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes and improve quality of life. Traditional pharmacological therapies include beta-blockers, certain anticonvulsants (topiramate, valproate), and candesartan, while the newly-developed therapies specifically designed for migraine prevention include anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies. Non-pharmacological therapies, such as neuromodulation devices or cognitive-behavioral therapies, are also recommended.
About the CREDU Association
The CREDU – Creative Education Association was founded with the desire to promote the concept of creative health education. In recent years, it has dedicated itself to organizing a series of online and offline projects aimed at adults and children, focusing on raising awareness and informing on important health topics.
www.despremigrena.ro www.credu.ro
About the Headache Society Romania
The “Headache Society” Association, a member of the EMHA (European Migraine and Headache Alliance), is a non-governmental, non-profit association of headache patients and healthcare professionals, aiming to increase medical education on headaches and facial pain, and to facilitate access for patients to modern treatments.