CHECK Berlin/Brandenburg #7

Health
ENGLISH
BE A MAN, ACCEPT HELP
An inside look into a life with migraines
Migraine is a serious neurological disease. Those affected not only suffer from
severe headaches and other side effects, but are also extremely restricted in their
everyday lives. While about 15.6% to 23.9% of women are affected by migraines,
the incidence in men is only 4.0% to 11.1%. So what is it like for men to deal with this
"women’s" disease?
Foto: wayhomestudio / freepik.com
Mehmet Ç. is married, a father of two and
is enjoying his managerial role in the telecommunications
industry. The 42-year-old
has suffered from migraines since childhood.
“Even as a boy, I often complained
about headaches. It was particularly sad
for me when it meant that I had to give up
my favorite hobby: martial arts.” He also
had to take sick leave more often at work
and had to live through up to 20 migraine
attacks a month.
Migraines are very diverse and the triggers
are different for each person. With Mehmet,
the pain attacks are often announced
with word-finding disorders and pressure
or stinging in the neck. He has learned to
know exactly what influences his illness
both positively and negatively: “When I
have a lot of stress or sleep too little, I
notice that it is not good for me. Even if
I eat or drink too little, it can trigger an
attack.”
In his private life, the trained sales coach
has not yet had any bad experiences
with his particular illness. He is met
with understanding and great support,
especially from his family.
MIGRAINES AND MASCULINITY
– NOT A CONTRADICTION
According to the Journal of Health
Monitoring, migraines affect more
women than men. Is it therefore
still difficult (or more difficult) for
men to "come out" as migraineurs?
Mehmet says: “I think it always
depends on how you wish to be
perceived. An open and self-confident
approach to the subject will
certainly make things easier for
54 CHECK BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #7