Part 2 - Migraines and Driving: What Every Driver Needs to Know

I think of migraines as headaches, but they’re actually so much more. They’re a complicated neurological condition that can repeat in ways that affect your entire body. I know, I had them in my thirties.
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Migraine symptoms include light and sound sensitivity, nausea and vomiting, visual disturbances, confusion, dizziness, muscle weakness, fatigue, and constant yawning. About 25% of migraines sufferers have auras an hour before the migraine strikes. Auras show up as blurred vision, flashes of light, wavy lines, and blind spots. 

My first migraine, and all the others, must have been auras. I remember the blurred vision, how I couldn’t read, and my hand going numb. It was scary. I was teaching. I can’t imagine having one if I’d been driving. It’s why I decided to write this post and share the link below from Stephanie Butler. She’s the Outreach Coordinator from Adam Swallow Injury Lawyers.
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                           Link: https://www.mdaccidentlaw.com/driving-with-a-migraine-safety-guide/


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Part 2: Migraines Stages, Warning Signs, & Gender Difference

Did you know migraines come in three stages? Like pre and post migraine.

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​Prodromes, they’re the pre-migraine stage. You might experience nonstop yawning, food cravings, and mood changes. Prodromes can begin hours, even days before a migraine hits. 

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​Postdromes begin when migraines end.  They can last up to two days, and you might experience exhaustion, confusion, trouble concentrating, and dizziness. 

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​Warning Signs for Drivers: If you’re driving and experience any of these signs, please pull over and call a friend for help. If you get one before you leave, please delay your trip. 

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​1. Vision disturbances: Auras, blurred vision, and blind spots can hide obstacles from view. 

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​​2. Light sensitivity: Sunlight during the day and headlights at night can blind or disorient you.

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​3. Dizziness: If your head is spinning, your judgement is weakened, especially for distance. 

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​ 4. Nausea: Feeling queasy? Watch out! Vomiting can make you lose control of your car and your stomach…instantly.

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​5. Brain fog: If your head feels clouded, your judgement and reaction time can be too.
 

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6. Sleepiness: When you’re tired, your reactions slow down too. You might even fall asleep at the wheel. 

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7. Weakness: When your senses are weakened, your driving skills are too.

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Gender Matters in Migraines: Guess who’s more affected by them?

- One study said women get migraines three times as often as men.

- They tend to be more frequent, longer-lasting, and more severe.

- They’re the biggest reason for disability in women ages 15-49.

- Migraines peak when we’re 35-39, when work and family demands are at their highest. Funny, mine were all in my 30s.

- Some families, bosses, and doctors say they’re only headaches, so some women don’t get treatment or support.
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                    Tomorrow: safety tips to take pre-migraine, or if you find yourself driving during one.

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