Beyond Migraine: Mental health, hormones and exercise discussed in new podcast

The podcast was developed in response to research undertaken by Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland which showed the serious impact migraine has on quality of life, with 53 per cent of people living with migraine in Ireland experiencing exhaustion and 30 per cent feeling depressed and sad as a result of their condition.¹

Key to the series is sharing the stories from people with lived experience of migraine to highlight the real impact the disease has on their quality of life.

Hosted by Debbie Hutchinson, who lives with migraine, it includes some well-known guests, including Irish football legend Tony Cascarino and Virgin Media TV presenter and businesswoman Anna Daly, who discuss their experience of living with migraine along with leading healthcare professionals with an interest in migraine.

The Beyond Migraine podcast provides easy to access advice, support and information, giving the opportunity for people living with migraine to hear first-hand from others like them living with the condition. Episode one is available now, with further episodes dropping every Monday. If you are living with migraine, tune in to the series to find out more each week.

Each episode deals with a different topic relating to insights into the lived experience of people living with migraine that were revealed in Teva’s survey. The first three episodes of the podcast series cover topics such as the impact of migraine on mental health, the influence of hormones on migraine and the impact or benefit of exercise for migraine.

Episode 1: Migraine & Your Mental Health

Living with migraine can have a serious impact on mental health, with 30 per cent of people living with migraine stating they feel depressed and sad as a result of their condition.¹ Dr Sabina Brennan, Irish neuroscientist, Aoife Gallagher and Jane Whelan, who both live with migraine, join host Debbie Hutchinson to discuss issues such as the link between migraine and mental health, what people with migraine can do to reduce stress, anxiety and coping with the emotions of feeling you may be a burden on family and friends.

Episode 2: Migraine & the Influence of Hormones

Approximately 60 per cent of women with migraine note an increased number of attacks in association with their menstrual period. However, 60 per cent of women living with migraine experience improvements during pregnancy, particularly during the second and third trimesters.² Virgin Media presenter Anna Daly and Dr Mary Kearney GP will discuss how migraine can be heavily influenced by hormones.

Episode 3: Migraine & Exercise

44 per cent of people said that their ability to take part in exercise or sport had been impacted by migraine.¹ Irish football legend Tony Cascarino, who lives with migraine, will be joined by Dr Edward O'Sullivan and physiotherapist Julie Sugrue to dive into how people living with migraine manage exercise in their lives.

Speaking about her migraine journey, Virgin Media TV presenter Anna Daly said: “Often when you suffer from a migraine there’s a sense that you don’t want to let people down and you try and hide your migraine rather than say I can’t do something or participate in something as a result of migraine. I hope by telling my story it will give people a better understanding of the disease and the impact it can have on life and how families and friends can support that person.”

Former professional football player, Tony Cascarino said: “Managing migraines has been an ongoing part of my life since I was 19. Three years ago, I had a brain tumour removed which was benign and I was very fortunate there, but my first question to the neurosurgeon was will this impact on my migraines. Over time, I realised that stress was often the trigger for my migraines. so managing and reducing stress was an important part of my management of the disease. I hope that by sharing my story on the Beyond Migraine podcast that I can help others to realise they are not alone.”

Episode one is available now on migraine.ie and all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with further episodes dropping every Monday. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #BeyondMigraine.

For information on migraine support and services available in Ireland, visit migraine.ie

To see the results of the Beyond Migraine survey of Irish people living with migraine, visit teva.ie/patients/beyond-migraine/

People living with migraine can also check out Life Effects. Life Effects is an initiative shaped by patients, for patients. It explores the latest science and thinking around your condition, it contains tips and patients share stories about the reality of living with chronic conditions. Find out more about migraine on lifeeffects.teva/eu/migraine.

This article is part of a sponsored series linked to each Beyond Migraine podcast episode brought to you by the Migraine Association of Ireland and Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.

The Beyond Migraine podcast is supported by funding from Teva pharmaceuticals Ireland. Speakers have received an honorarium for their contribution to the podcast.