DEBILITATING, frightening and much misunderstood - migraine is the most common neurological condition in the developed world but few non-sufferers appreciate how serious it really is.

It affects 10 per cent of the population and there are more than six million migraine sufferers in the UK - more than the number of diabetics, epileptics and asthmatics combined.

But migraines are still dismissed by many people as just a headache.

Migraine Awareness Week, from September 5-11, aims to change this, by informing the public about this condition which disrupts millions of people's lives.

Anita Few, executive officer of The Migraine Action Association, which has organised the awareness week, says migraine is far more than 'just a headache'.

"Migraine is a serious neurological condition which has a really serious impact on people's lives.

"Migraine Awareness Week is aiming to change these perceptions but also raise awareness among GPs and pharmacists. Many GPs have little understanding about how serious migraine is and there's little training for them."

More than a third of migraine sufferers face discrimination at work, a recent survey by The Migraine Trust found and 40 per cent have their social lives disrupted by the condition.

Alan Bartle, chief executive of The Migraine Trust, says: "Our concern is that many people just don't realise how significantly sufferers are affected - every working day up to 90,000 people are absent from work or school as a result of migraine.

"The recent talk about unpaid sick leave and days off sick is particularly worrying for migraine sufferers, many of whom feel that their condition is not taken seriously enough by employers."

What causes migraines is still not fully understood but it's believed the release of the chemical serotonin into the bloodstream causes changes in the brain's neurotransmitters and blood vessels which cause the attack.

Sufferers have found a range of factors can trigger an attack but the most common are: dairy products - particularly cheese; chocolate; alcohol - particularly red wine; citrus fruits; fried foods; monosodium glutamate (MSG) found in processed foods; bright lights or loud noises; changes in the weather; stress or anxiety; and tiredness.

To treat migraines simple painkillers like aspirin can be effective if taken early in the attack, combined with an anti-vomiting drug if the sufferer feels nauseous.

Doctors can prescribe stronger painkillers and there are series of specific drugs called 5HT1 agonists which act directly to correct the serotonin imbalance. These can cause severe side effects though so are not suitable for everyone.

To prevent the attacks in the first place sufferers have to persevere in identifying which factors trigger their attacks - usually by following an elimination diet, or being tested for food intolerances and allergies.

They may have to cut out various foods from their diet, while relaxation techniques can also help reduce the number and severity of attacks.

Other non-drug treatments such as the herbal remedy Feverfew and specially tinted glasses can be effective.

For more information

The Migraine Trust - www.migrainetrust.org or call the helpline on 020 7436 1336.

The Migraine Action Association - www.migraine.org.uk

MIGRAINE - THE FACTS

Migraine is a neurological condition causing sufferers to experience a series of recurring headaches in one part of their head, lasting between four and 72 hours.

This is often accompanied by sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and eyesight changes.

In 15-20 per cent of attacks the headaches are preceded by an "aura". These involve visual disturbances including blind spots, flashing lights or zig zag patterns, confusion, inability to concentrate and tingling or pins and needles on the affected side of the head.

During an attack, blood vessels in the brain dilate and then draw together which stimulates the nerve endings near the affected blood vessels. These changes to the blood vessels are probably what cause the pain.