By IKOME CHRISTIE-NOELLA EPOSI
Under the theme; “promoting brain health; Migraine, the painful truth’’, Neurologists, medical personnel through the Brain Research Africa Initiative have educated the public about Migraine which is known to be an impactful neurological disease in the world.
In Commemorating the World Brain day which takes place every July 22, the Brain Research Africa Initiative (BRAIN) organized a Brain week in Cameroon at the Buea regional hospital for a period of one week which was characterized by free neurological consultations, screenings, treatments and continuous medical education sessions.
At the close of the Brain week, Dr Nkouonlack Cyrille, Internist consultant Neurologist at the Buea regional hospital explained that Migraine is the 3rd most common disease in the world which is located in the head and quite different from other types of headache. He said there are genetic as well as environmental factors that trigger the migraine headache.
week at the Buea Regional Hospital
Dr. Cyrille added that about 60 patients, some of them suffering from migraine were present at the Brain week where they underwent screenings and were administered treatment.
“Stress, climate changes, physical exertion, Alcohol, smoke, light, drugs etc are all factors that could trigger migraine. As concerns activities in commemorating the Brain week, Dr. Cyrille mentioned that the turnout has been relatively good, coupled with the busy but very rich week.
Doctors Dissongo Isabelle, Bengwoui Pascalle, Folefac Laura and Kengni Mendomo were all facilitators at the event who presented educative talks on the various classifications of headaches, triggers of migraine, how to diagnose migraine and the differential diagnosis and red flags of headaches.
The Director of the Buea Regional Hospital, Professor Enow Orock George noted that migraine headache is a very complex and difficult issue. He endured all to apply the knowledge gained throughout the brain week and act as community educators to tell others about migraine.
Statistically, one to seven people worldwide suffer from migraine headache and it is prevalent highest between the ages of 30-50. About 4% of boys and girls in pre-pubertal age also suffer from migraine. As per the effects of those suffering from migraine, it was noted that, the disease imposes a significant burden on the patient. Migraine headache is not expected to last above 72 hours (3 days).
Migraine is usually under diagnosed, under-recognized and undertreated reasons why the disease needs to be brought off the shadows for creating a broader understanding on improving the standard of care for those living with migraine regardless of their gender, age and cultural or geographical location.