National Headache Foundation

Cheryl McJoy’s life changed forever in 1996 while serving in the U.S. Navy in Okinawa, Japan. A routine day turned into a nightmare when she fell from a P-3C Orion aircraft, suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that left her with persistent headaches, memory loss, and a long road to recovery. For years, Cheryl struggled not only with the physical pain but also with the challenge of having her symptoms taken seriously. Like so many others living with post-traumatic headaches and TBI, she faced misdiagnoses and skepticism, making her journey even more difficult. But Cheryl refused to let her pain define her. Instead, she turned to humor, resilience, and advocacy, carving out a new path for herself as a speaker, entertainer, and inspiration to others. She earned the name "emcee Joy" for her ability to uplift those around her, proving that even in the face of adversity, laughter and hope can be powerful tools for healing. Her story is a testament to the strength of veterans living with chronic pain and the importance of recognizing the invisible wounds of service. Read her full story and learn how she transformed pain into purpose: https://bit.ly/3R9vJ1H This story was originally written by Sara Walsh for the U.S. Pain Foundation INvisible Project, 5th Migraine Edition. #MyBrainInjuryJourney #VeteranStories #Resilience #TraumaticBrainInjury #ChronicPain #HeadacheAwareness

Why is migraine so stigmatized? This week, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD talks with Susan Hutchinson, MD, about migraine stigma and the barriers people face when seeking care. ?? Why is migraine still misunderstood? ?? How does stigma affect mental and physical health? ?? What can we do to advocate for better care? Don't miss this insightful conversation! Watch or listen now. #MigraineAwareness #migrainestigma

Migraine is a legitimate neurological disease, yet many people hesitate to seek care due to stigma. In this episode, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, talks with Susan Hutchinson, MD, about new data from the OVERCOME study, revealing how stigma affects migraine care, mental health, and quality of life. Learn why people delay treatment, the risks of chronification, and how we can work to change perceptions of migraine. https://lnkd.in/ggzhJqaH #headwise #Migraine #migraineawareness #migrainestigma

We recently hosted the inaugural episode of our Taking Charge of Headache? webinar series, focusing on the unique challenges women veterans face regarding headache disorders and migraine disease. This session, presented by Operation Brainstorm? and SHERO Coffee Club, featured personal stories, expert insights, and practical strategies to empower veterans in managing their headache and migraine journeys. For those who couldn't attend or wish to revisit the discussion, the full webinar is available here: https://bit.ly/4kyWom2 We encourage you to watch and share this resource with others who might benefit. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in the Taking Charge of Headache?. #OperationBrainstorm #VeteranHealth #WomenVeterans #MigraineAwareness #HeadacheSupport

Feeling your best starts from within! Make a conscious effort to choose nourishing foods and keep hydration at the forefront of your wellness routine. Keeping a food diary can be a game-changer! It allows you to track food choices and how they make you feel. Learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet: https://bit.ly/3F8IoiS National Nutrition Month? serves as an opportunity to remind us that Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs) are the most valuable and credible sources of timely and scientifically based food and nutrition information. #AcademyofNutritionandDietetics #AntiInflammatoryDiet #Migraine

In this week’s episode of #HeadWise, we’re diving into an important topic: migraine stigma. Lindsay Weitzel, PhD, is joined by Susan Hutchinson, MD, a headache specialist and author of a recent study on why people hesitate to seek migraine care. ?? Why is migraine so misunderstood? ?? How does stigma impact mental and physical health? ?? What can we do to change the conversation? If you've ever felt dismissed or judged because of migraine, this episode is for you. Stay tuned episode releases 03/12! #MigraineAwareness #migrainestigma

Clocks will spring forward one hour at 2 a.m. today for most of us. Daylight saving time runs from the second Sunday in March to the second Sunday in November. For the 42 million Americans who live with headache and migraine, sleep disruption may be a real issue. “There have been recent studies that show specifically that changes in sleep habits, not just a decrease in sleep, can trigger a migraine attack,” according to headache specialist Fred Cohen, MD. HeadWise: https://bit.ly/3DthiCu Would you prefer clocks to be an hour earlier or later if daylight saving time were canceled? #KeepDST #CancelDST #Migraine #Headache #SleepMatters

Women's prevalence of severe headache and migraine disease continues to be underprioritized, underdiagnosed and undertreated. Migraine impacts 17.1% to 19.2% of adult women with the highest burden found in ages 18-44. International Women's Day, March 8th is an opportunity to shine a light on these unmet needs. Let's celebrate women's health and well-being with a call to action in seeking earlier diagnosis, and timely care and treatment. To learn more, check out HeadWise episodes: https://bit.ly/3FeyCeY #Diagnosis #Migraine #WomensHealth #TimelyAccess

Did you know migraine symptoms can start before the headache phase and linger long after it’s gone? In this episode, Dr. Lindsay Weitzel and Dr. Dawn Buse break down the four phases of a migraine attack and discuss new research on what people really experience before, during, and after an attack. ??? Listen now Have you noticed symptoms outside of the headache phase? Let us know in the comments. ?? #MigraineScience #KnowMigraine

Migraine is more than just head pain, it comes with a range of symptoms before, during, and after the headache phase. In this episode, Lindsay Weitzel, PhD talks with Dawn Buse, PhD, about the MiCOAS study, which explores how people experience symptoms in different phases of a migraine attack. Learn about the pre-headache (prodrome), headache, and post-headache (postdrome) phases, as well as the symptoms that can linger between attacks. #headwise #Migraine #migraineawareness https://lnkd.in/gMzBE9rs