Migraine is one of the most common health problems worldwide, but it is often misunderstood and even stigmatized. Part of the problem is its “invisible” nature; Since others cannot see the pain, it is easy to minimize the illness by dismissing it as “just a headache.”
That’s why it’s so important to not only learn about headaches and migraines, but also to be in regular contact with others who understand what you’re experiencing. These organizations can help you get there.
Some offer educational materials and help find doctors or clinics specializing in migraine and headache care, while others host forums, support groups and virtual meetings.
Here are some of the most helpful and informative resources for migraine and headache sufferers.
American Migraine Foundation
The American Migraine Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes research, advocacy and awareness for people suffering from migraine. The website is full of patient guides and educational materials, and its Migraine Stories section highlights the real-life experiences of people living with migraine.
You can also join the organization’s Move Against Migraine Facebook community, led by doctors and other headache experts.
If you’re looking for a doctor, the website’s search tool allows you to search by zip code to find a migraine and headache specialist in your area.
Brain and life
As the patient education website of the American Academy of Neurology, Brain & Life contains a wealth of information on all kinds of neurological conditions, including headaches and migraine.
THE Brain and life The podcast – hosted by neurologists – addresses issues ranging from how to manage brain diseases to how to keep your brain healthy, and invites celebrities and others to share their stories.
The organization also publishes weekly press releases on the latest scientific research from leading neurology journals and conferences.
Migraine Disorders Association
The Association of Migraine Disorders develops tools and resources to help healthcare providers and patients better understand migraine. Its patient resource guides feature educational videos explaining migraine treatments, among other topics, while blogs and podcasts provide practical advice as well as perspectives from real people and doctors.
Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients
The Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patient (CHAMP) is a nonprofit organization that aims to support people suffering from headaches, migraine, and other related conditions. Its website has everything from information on navigating insurance and disability benefits to an overview of different treatment options.
CHAMP also hosts Retreat Migraine, an annual conference for people living with migraine.
National Headache Foundation
The National Headache Foundation has existed for 50 years as a resource not only for people suffering from headaches, but also for their families and the doctors who treat them. On the foundation’s website, you’ll find headache FAQs, headache stories, the Complete Headache Chart (a glossary of many types of headaches), and a list of headache specialists across the United States.
Its Operation Brainstorm program is designed specifically to help members of the military community find a treatment plan that works for them.
Cluster Hunters
Clusterbusters is an advocacy organization that supports research for better treatment of cluster headaches, which are severe headaches that occur in clusters (although a cluster headache is not a migraine attack). The organization also developed a doctor locator to help identify doctors experiencing these types of headaches.
For decades, Clusterbusters has worked to get the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to cover home oxygen therapy for people with cluster headaches. He is proud to provide help and support to people living with this disease.
The organization also provides guides for navigating insurance coverage as well as treatment information.
Another migraine
Migraine Again is an online community offering advice and information focused on migraine patients. Her website aims to equip readers with the tools to “survive, and even thrive, through chronic pain” and covers topics such as workplace discrimination, sleeping well, and parenting with migraine. Migraine Again is part of the Everyday Health group.
Migraine.com
The Migraine.com Community Center is a place to read posts from people living with migraine, share your own migraine story, and participate in discussion forums. Topics include ways to manage a migraine attack at work, warning signs of a migraine attack, and how migraine affects your relationships. The community is driven by people who have been affected in one way or another by migraine.
Additional reports by Laura McArdle And Ingrid Strauch.
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