5 Ways To Manage A Migraine Attack At Work

By Author: Monica Quinn
Total Articles: 127
Comment this article

When you have a migraine at home, you can turn off the lights, burrow under the covers, and close your eyes until it passes. But at work, you will probably have to live with the agony until departure time.

More than 90% of migraine sufferers report being unable to function well enough to work during a migraine attack. However, it can be difficult to explain to your manager why you are unable to complete your tasks. Migraine is an unseen sickness, meaning no one can see how much pain you're in.

Need to get through the day at work while suffering from a migraine? Try these five techniques to make your work days with migraine easier.

1. Ask for accommodations
Migraine might make it difficult to concentrate at work. Because of this, Americans lose 113 million workdays each year.

Because migraines can be incapacitating, you may be eligible for accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Inquire with your human resources representative about adjusting your responsibilities, shifting your hours, or occasionally working from home.

2. Find an escape room
Go to an open ...
... conference room or disused office space where you can lie down in the dark till you feel migraine relief. To feel more comfortable, take a blanket and a pillow.

3. Take time off
Don't worry if you miss too many work days due to severe migraines. According to the Family Leave and Sick Leave Act (FMLA), people with conditions like migraines can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave without losing their job or health insurance.

4. Control other triggers
Bright lights, loud noises, and strong odors can trigger your migraine. If possible, reduce any triggers in your workplace.
- Turn down the lights. Dim the overhead lights in your cubicle or workplace, reduce the brightness of your computer monitor, and install an anti-glare screen. If lowering isn't a possibility and the lights are excessively bright, ask your office manager if you may use lower-watt bulbs instead.
- Reduce the volume. If you have an office, merely closing the door will mute outside noises. Ask your firm if the walls may be extended upwards to soundproof a cubicle. Alternatively, add carpet to the walls. Wear earplugs or use a white noise machine to block out loud sounds if all else fails.
- Strong scents should be eliminated. Ask any coworkers who use a lot of perfume or cologne to cut back on the odors. Also, inform your office manager of your sensitivity so that the cleaning crew can avoid using strong-smelling chemicals.
- Improve your ergonomics. Place your computer monitor and chair to improve comfort and reduce eye strain. Poor posture can increase muscle strain and provoke a migraine.

5. Come clean with your boss
A migraine has no observable symptoms. The condition is so stigmatized because no one can see your pain. It's easy for others to dismiss a migraine as a minor headache, which can make it a difficult topic to broach at work.

Be honest with HR and your manager so you don't have to make up excuses when your head hurts. If they don't understand why migraine interferes with your work, ask your doctor to write a note describing how it can affect your efficiency.

The takeaway
Migraine attacks can be incapacitating, making it difficult to focus or complete tasks at work. In many circumstances, you may need to collect your belongings and return home to rest until it passes. Alternatively, you can make the best of your situation and plan for the worst. This will help you manage your migraine during the workday.

Greetings, my name is Monica. I graduated from New York Medical College and work as a nurse in Queens Hospital at the moment. The thing I love the most is morning jogging, because it is a wonderful way to keep myself in tonus. I like to communicate with people who care about their health. I became a vegetarian five years ago. Now my daily menu consists mainly of vegetables, fruits and different cheeses. I am a member of water polo team and I love gardening. I like to see how huge flowers grow out of the tiny petal, it dazzles me because I love spending my time outdoors. My goal is to visit all the USA parks, and then all over the world)