Migraine is More Than Just a Headache, Recognize Symptoms and How to Control it

JAKARTA - Headaches are often considered a mild complaint that will disappear on its own after resting. In fact, for some people, pain in the head can be a sign of migraine, such as neurological disorders that can disrupt daily activities, reduce productivity, and affect quality of life if not handled properly.

This problem turns out to be experienced by many people around the world. World Health Organization (WHO) data shows that headache disorders affect about 40 percent of the global population, with migraine being one of the main causes. In Indonesia, the prevalence of migraine is estimated to reach 11 to 12 percent of the total population.

The increasing awareness of the importance of neurological health encourages various parties to present education that is closer to the community. One of them is through a health seminar entitled "Know Migraine, Manage Symptoms for a Better Quality of Life" which was held by Holywings Peduli at Superhouse Paskal, Bandung on Sunday, June 14. This activity which coincides with World Migraine Awareness Month also presents free health screening services for hundreds of residents.

Holywings Group President Commissioner and Head of the Holywings Care Program, Andrew Susanto, assessed that education regarding migraine is still very much needed because many people are not aware of the impact that this condition can cause.

"Migraine is often considered trivial, even though this condition can interfere with productivity and daily activities. Through this activity, we want to provide the right understanding to the public while encouraging early detection of various health risk factors through free examinations," said Andrew, quoted from a statement from the official Holywings Group on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

During the educational session, dr. Ivana Lola from Siloam Purwakarta Hospital explained that there are still many people who equate dizziness, migraine, and vertigo. In fact, the three are different conditions and require different treatments.

"The term 'dizzy' is actually a very common complaint and can describe various conditions. Dizziness is a general term used by someone when they feel uncomfortable in their head, floating, light-headed, or unwell," said dr. Ivana.

According to Ivana, migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by throbbing head pain, usually on one side of the head and often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Meanwhile, vertigo is more synonymous with the sensation of spinning related to disorders of the balance system in the inner ear.

Migraine attacks themselves can last for several hours to several days. This condition can also change as you get older. Entering the age of 40, a number of biological factors and lifestyles can increase the frequency of migraines, especially in women approaching perimenopause.

"At the age of 40 or 'head of four', some people can still experience migraines, even the frequency increases due to several factors, such as hormonal changes, high levels of work and family stress, irregular sleep patterns, and associated diseases such as hypertension," said Ivana.

In addition to managing stress and maintaining sleep patterns, paying attention to food intake is also an important step in controlling migraines. Ivana explained that some types of food and drinks can be triggers for attacks, ranging from processed foods containing excessive MSG, processed meats such as sausages, fermented cheese, chocolate, to caffeinated drinks and alcohol.

Instead, migraine sufferers are advised to increase their consumption of fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish rich in omega-3 such as tuna and salmon to help maintain overall body health.

When migraines come, there are some simple steps you can take to relieve symptoms. From turning off the lights, staying away from gadgets, compressing the forehead or the back of the neck with cold water, to resting in a quiet room. Light massage on the neck and shoulder areas can also help reduce the muscle tension that often accompanies migraine attacks.

However, the public still needs to be alert to the signs of danger that should not be ignored. Ivana reminded that a headache that appears suddenly with the most intense intensity ever felt, or accompanied by symptoms such as high fever, stiff neck, slurred speech, face swelling, to weakness of the limbs, requires immediate medical treatment because it can indicate serious conditions such as stroke or brain infection.

"The important message is that migraine is not just a common headache. By recognizing triggers, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and getting the right treatment, the frequency and severity of migraines can be controlled so that the quality of life of sufferers is maintained." concluded Ivana.