Migraine was a condition that was also seen as a middle age problem till recently when it started rocketing among students and young professionals at an overgrowing rate. What was previously a rare phenomenon is fast turning out to be a lifestyle and chronic case of a neurological disorder that affects a whole generation.
There are a number of contemporary drivers to this increase. Increased hours of screen time, disrupted sleep patterns, missed meals, dehydration, or school or work stress are the activities that are overstimulating the brain pain pathways. Stress levels and continuous digital interaction break the serotonin balance and elevate the cortical sensitivity, which are the two critical processes associated with migraine development. Moreover, faulty posture when working online, high levels of caffeine, and changes in lifestyle in a short period, also contribute to the worsening of episodes.
Among students, the insomnia of studying late, performance anxiety and a lengthy amount of time before the screen have become an effective trigger of migraine. Among young professionals, there is always a sensation of being in a hyper-vigilated state due to extended working hours, overloading, hybrid work stress, and multiple deadlines. The condition is further complicated by such environmental factors as bright indoor light, noise, air pollution, hormonal changes, and the young woman gender especially.
The worst thing is that the symptoms have become so normalized. Most of young people ignore migraines as a simple headache and override them with fast pain relief without determining the causing factors. This postpones its diagnosis, aggravates its rate, and predisposes it to kaleidoscopic migraine.
To solve this rising trend, it is necessary to engage in early identification of the issue, lifestyle adjustment, monitored screen time, water consumption, stress management, sleep, and doctor visit in the case of the prolonged issue. Migraine is not just pain, it is a neurological disorder that should be taken into consideration.
Do you think the current hurried lifestyle is the principle cause of the increases in migraine or are we just getting better and more serious about reporting them?
MBH/AB