Veteran Headaches

While serving in Okinawa, Japan, Cheryl suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a fall from an airplane wing. The fall was so severe that it cracked her helmet. Despite recovering from the physical injuries, the fall led to a cascade of incapacitating headache attacks that gradually progressed into chronic migraine. The aftermath of the…
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When we think of the brave men and women who serve in the military, we often picture them facing physical dangers on the battlefield. However, there’s another threat that many Veterans face, one that isn’t always immediately visible: traumatic brain injury (TBI). To put it simply, TBIs occur when a sudden trauma or blow to…
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Jess served almost a decade in the Navy, including on two submarines: the USS Menhaden and the USS Blueback, the U.S. Navy’s last diesel-electric submarine. (It’s now resting half-submerged in a museum in Portland, Oregon.) Jess was also a part of Operation Deep Freeze, a collaborative effort among 40 nations to carry out earth science…
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Migraine pain can be debilitating for anyone who experiences it. Still, for military Veterans, these headaches can be especially impairing due to their experiences and potential triggers. Understanding the unique aspects of migraine among Veterans and their possible causes is the first step in finding relief and managing pain. Frequency of Migraine Among Military Veterans…
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While the emotional and psychological toll of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely recognized, many people are unaware of the physical effects it can have on those who have served in the armed forces. One of those effects is the often-overlooked link between PTSD and headache. By understanding this connection and recognizing the physical consequences…
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If you’re a Veteran struggling with migraine or painful headaches since returning from service, you’re not alone. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, over a third of Veterans who served at least one year in Iraq or Afghanistan have been diagnosed with migraine or signs of migraine.¹ Veterans and active military personnel are more…
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