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Migraines have a complex and multifaceted relationship to road traffic accidents.
There is a significant amount of evidence suggesting that in some cases the impact of a vehicular collision can precipitate the onset of persistent migraines in a victim who was previously unaffected by them.
Dr Michael Jetnikov, who in his lengthy career has treated many people with road accident-related injuries and illnesses, states, "I have seen quite a few patients who are adamant that their migraines were caused by a car accident. Whether that might be as a result of post accident stress or the physical trauma of impact or both is open to debate. Although it could be coincidence, in my personal professional opinion, I believe it is a reasonable proposition worthy of serious consideration."
Whether or not there is enough scientific evidence to prove that road accidents are a catalyst for the development of migraines, it is apparent that being in control of a vehicle while suffering a migraine, regardless of the severity of its symptoms, is ill advised and a very real road hazard.
Even driving in the early stages of a lesser migraine (known as a common migraine) can present significant risks to the sufferer, passengers, and other road users. The symptoms, which can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, all have sudden onsets, meaning sufferers must be ever watchful of early signs when driving in order to protect their safety.
The NHS website has a helpful page which lists the stages of a migraine. This might aid migraine sufferers to better recognise the warning signs of an oncoming migraine and pull over somewhere safe instead of continuing along the highway in an unfit state to drive.
In addition to the symptoms stated above, the acute throbbing headache of a common migraine can impair judgement and slow reaction times. This can negatively affect driving to the same degree as excessive consumption of alcohol and lead to serious injuries or even fatalities in a crash.
Classic migraine sufferers (now known as migraine with aura) are prone to even more acute symptoms, all of which are dangerously incompatible with motoring.
Many individuals will experience the appearance of zig zag lines, flashing lights, blind spots, as well as tingling and numbness in the limbs. These are just four of the phenomena affecting migraine sufferers which, if ignored or not properly monitored, can lead to erratic and unsafe driving.
These severe headaches can last as long as 24 hours, and, even once a migraine has passed, the sufferer might not be fit to return to the road for several days as the after effetcs of a migraine can produce a type of hangover period during which the sufferer feels tired and experiences cognitive impairment.
Although the vast majority of people who regularly experience migraines are responsible road users, who are knowledgeable enough to spot their symptoms and get off the road before they become too impaired to drive in a safe manner, new sufferers may find that confusion about their symptoms can lead them to remain on the road when they should be resting somewhere out of harm's way.
Troublingly, it seems the act of driving can actually trigger migraines in a minority of sufferers. A number of internet blogs, set up by migraine sufferers as a forum for sharing of their stories, contain the accounts of people who report experiencing a disproportionately high number of migraines while behind the wheel.
Dr Jetnikov comments again, "It might be driving-related fatigue, the stress of the road or other environmental factors; no two migraine patients are the same and some people seem to have very specific triggers."
For those who would like to discuss their symptoms, find out more about migraines, and take part in fundraising and other events, Migraine Action has plenty of information and has been providing support for suffers all over the UK and overseas for more than 50 years.
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If you or a close member of your family has suffered personal injury as the result of the actions of another road user, our services could be of benefit in helping you claim the remuneration you deserve for your pain, suffering, medical bills and loss of earnings.
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