I was diagnosed with migraine headaches in junior year of high school. At that moment, I became one of the 38 million people in the United States who suffer from this illness. A migraine diagnosis comes with a long list of physical, social, and lifestyle issues that permanently affect a person's life. My struggle with migraines has taught me a great deal about myself, other people, and the world around me. Here are a few of those life lessons.
1. People are not always understanding
Regardless of their prevalence, migraines are widely misunderstood by the general population. People have a lot of serious misconceptions regarding migraines, and this leads them to say and do things that can come across as harsh. They may tell you to just take a few ibuprofen or to get some fresh air, assuming you just have a run-of-the-mill headache. While this can be rather infuriating, I have learned that it's usually best to ignore these types of comments and take them for what they are--a misunderstanding rather than an insult.
2. Powerade is a magical liquid sent from God
When you're dehydrated from throwing up and too nauseated to eat or drink anything else, Powerade is there for you. While it may be marketed as a sports drink, I wholeheartedly believe that Powerade was invented with migraine sufferers in mind. Many patients say that drinking Powerade even stops their milder migraines.
3. Take nothing at face value
Anyone who has migraines can tell you that tiny, seemingly insignificant things can turn into monster headaches. This teaches you to be wary of anything your body does or comes in contact with. If I'm hungry, I make sure to eat before low blood sugar triggers a migraine. If my neck hurts, I know that a headache is likely coming soon. Nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Migraines teach people to be hyperaware of their bodies and environments in order to avoid their specific triggers.
4. Every moment is precious
Migraines often keep people in bed and out of school or work for a large portion of their lives. Up until recently, I would lose about four to five days a month to my migraines. Others may be down multiple days per week. This teaches you to make the most of your good, migraine-free days and to never take a moment for granted. I have learned to be extra productive and active on my good days, because I never know what tomorrow might hold.
5. I am stronger than I think
A migraine sufferer regularly experiences pain that most people cannot even imagine. We teach ourselves to function under extreme conditions, and we power through severe symptoms in order to live our daily lives. This is a feat that no one should not take lightly. I have learned to appreciate my body for what it can do, rather than hate it for what it cannot. My best piece of advice is to see yourself as a fighter, rather than a victim, and know that your migraines do not define you.
