A valuable start in taking charge of your health is to first be educated. Understand as much as possible about your condition from trustworthy resources. With that knowledge, you will be empowered to communicate more comfortably with your physician. Speaking openly with your healthcare team allows you to ask questions that are important to you as well as better understand the answers you will receive.

Involving family, friends, co-workers, and other healthcare specialists to help you through this process is important. Support groups and networking sites are places where you can meet people with the same condition. Surrounding yourself with a community of people who are like-minded will give you peace of mind that you are not alone.

You are in control

Always remember that you are in control throughout every step of your health journey. If your healthcare professional is dismissive of your complaints, try switching providers. If any visit, procedure, or process makes you feel uncomfortable, you can opt out of it. If you feel you are not ready to take some treatment steps, that decision is up to you and you alone.

Be open with your healthcare providers if any process or treatment is provoking anxiety. Anxiety is a natural response to an unfamiliar situation and if you are experiencing it, you are far from alone. Your providers will be familiar with anxiety and may have tools to help you cope.

Seek Support

If there are people in your life who are dismissive of your symptoms, try to educate them about IIH by directing them to this website. However, know that you are not responsible for their reaction to your condition. Try to surround yourself with people who can be supportive and helpful to you. For some patients, that means joining an online or in-person support group. You can find a list of support groups on our Resources page.

We invite you to browse this site to learn more about how to support and reclaim your health.

References

Ball A, Clarke C. IdiopathicThe term idiopathic is used when there is no detectable reason for something. intracranial hypertension. The Lancet Neurology. May 2006;5(5):433-442.
Mollan S, Hoffmann J, Sinclair A. Advances in the understanding of headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Curr Opin Neurol. February 2019;32(1):92-98.
Khorsha F, Mirzabavaei A, Togha M, et al. Association of drinking water and migraine headache severity. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience. July 2020. 77;81-84. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
National Academies Science Engineering Medicine. Dietary Reference and Intake for Electrolytes and Water. 2005. Accessed June 1, 2022. https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/dietary-reference-intakes-for-electrolytes-and-water
Popkin B, D’Anci K, Rosenberg I. Water, hydration, and health. Nutrition Reviews. August 2010;68(8):439-458
Kelman L, Rains J. Headache and sleep: examination of sleep patterns and complaints in a large clinical sample of migraineurs. Headache. July-August 2005;45(7):904-910.
Eugene A, Masiak J. The Neuroprotective Aspects of Sleep. MEDtube Sci. March 2015;3(1):35-40.
Wober C, Wober-Bingol C. Triggers of migraine and tension-type headache. Headache. September 3, 2010;97:161-172
Marmore A, Spaienza G, Vinicius de Oliveira G, et al. Odors as triggering and worsening factors for migraine in men. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2011;69(2-B):324-327
Duda K. Is There Any Difference Between OTC Pain Relievers? The differences between Tylenol, Aleve, Advil, and Aspirin. verywellhealth. Updated December 10, 2021. Accessed May 20, 2022. https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-the-difference-between-motrin-and-advil-770459
Lipton R, Diener H, Robbins M, et al. Caffeine in the management of patients with headache. J Headache Pain. October 24, 2017;18(1):107
Ryan J, Heckler C, Roscoe J, et al. Ginger (ZSingiber officinale) reduces acute chemotherapy-induced nausea: a URCC CCOP study of 576 patients. Support Care Cancer. August 5, 2011;20:1479-1489.
Bender D. Non-nutritional uses of vitamin B6. British Journal of Nut. September 9, 1998;81:7-20.
NHS. The Leeds Teaching Hospital. Bland diet. Published August 2021. Accessed May 15, 2022. https://flipbooks.leedsth.nhs.uk/LN005070.pdf
Stott A. Examining the efficacy of stimulating the PC6 wrist acupuncture point for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: A Cochrane review summary. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 2016; 64:139-141.

Edith Ruiz, PA-C

Edith Ruiz, PA-C is a certified physician assistant with over 14 years of clinical experience, including the care of neurological surgery and bariatric surgery patients. Additionally, she has several years of experience as a medical writer for healthcare companies to help connect patients to medical information.

All Articles >