Migraines and tension headaches starting at work and ostensibly caused by workplace issues represent an overlooked disease. Millions are affected globally, and tens of thousands of people have problems at work in most countries.
This is the finding from research conducted at the University of Copenhagen’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The researchers are anticipating that this new knowledge will help workplaces become better at accommodating those suffering from headaches.
For people suffering from migraine or frequent tension headaches, the impact is significant. Untreated, a migraine attack may last for up to72 hours, and tension headaches can potentially last for a week. These are not ordinary headaches that be treated by taking a pill and it remains that knowledge in the general population about the importance of headache disorders is limited.
The causes of such headaches remain uncertain, although data patterns suggest that people suffering with depressive symptoms or pain in muscles and joints are more prone than others to headaches. Hence some signs and symptoms, which can function as warning signs, include mood changes.
These conditions are also relatively common. In the researchers’ own country – Denmark – they estimate that around 770,000 people suffer from migraine or frequent tension headaches caused by workplace issues.
In terms of the impact of these conditions on the ability to work, the effects are three-fold. These are: The ability to remember, to make quick decisions and do hard physical work.
Putting in measures to combat headaches is important for employers, not least because headaches have a negative effect on sick leave and productivity. The ability for employees to take action themselves varies, and the possibilities of adapting the work during headache attacks depends on the type of work. With this being easier for some than others, this means there is a significant inequality in health.
Those carrying out essential services such as cleaning staff or nursing staff do not have the same opportunities to adjust the working hours or postpone tasks.
The researchers suggest that managers should be open to employees raising issues of headaches and they should react and make adjustments, such as rearranging the workday by moving tasks to later in the day or allowing the employee to slowdown in terms of their work rate until they feel better.
The research appears in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, titled “Demand-specific work ability among employees with migraine or frequent headache.”
