Latest evidence-based migraine management strategies to help healthcare practitioners
Migraine sufferers often rely on regular painkillers because many still perceive migraine as a regular headache. However, the more painkillers they consume, the less effective it becomes in the long run, and the body will build immunity towards that painkiller. In some cases, the overuse of painkillers can potentially be the cause of more migraines.
The truth is, migraine is classified as a disability, and affects 6.4 million Australians and the number keeps on growing every year. Migraine has no cure, but it can be managed. Each individual is different; therefore, each person needs different types of treatment, and healthcare professionals must look into new and innovative ways to help their patients manage migraine.
“We are living in an age where new drugs appearing to help in the treatment of migraine. We’ve had a number of new drugs emerge in recent times. We’ve probably got ten or twelve different medication that are tablets that are migraine-preventive, we have Botox which is used for people with very frequent migraines, and that’s made a huge difference to the lives of many patients, and so I think we’re living in exciting times. There are treatments available, there are good treatments available now and there will be even better treatment available in the future,” said Associate Professor Richard Stark, from the World Federation of Neurology.
There are 500 neurologists in Australia, and only less than 100 neurologists have interest in migraines and headache medicine, and they are outnumbered by the number of migraine sufferers who need attention and immediate treatment.
“We have approximately 500 neurologists practicing in Australia, and there are more than five million headache suffers and this number is growing year on year. Headaches are worse than any other condition, when it comes to disability, and people often suffer in silence,” Professor Tissa Wijerante said.
Professor Tissa Wijeratne from Western Health have developed an online course with The University of Melbourne – Mobile Learning Unit to provide the latest evidence-based strategies to help healthcare practitioners treat their migraine patients. The online course is titled Migraine Management for Practitioners. Hopefully thorough this course, there will be an increasing number of healthcare practitioners who are able to keep up with the massive number of migraine sufferers.
The course covers the latest strategies for the diagnosis of headaches, highlights “red flag” symptoms and differential diagnoses, and provides pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for managing patients experiencing headaches. Learners can complete the course online at their own pace, using any iOS, Android or Windows device.
To learn more about this course, please visit this link and connect with The Mobile Learning Unit.