📊 Fast Facts

• Affects 1 in 7 people globally
• Women are 3x more likely than men to have migraines
• Most people have attacks between ages 18–44
• Often runs in families (genetic link)
• Migraine is the 2nd leading cause of disability worldwide (under 50)

⚠️ Common Symptoms

• Severe, throbbing head pain (often one-sided)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
• Visual disturbances (aura) — flashing lights, zigzag lines
• Dizziness or numbness
• Fatigue or brain fog

🔁 Migraine Phases

Migraines can occur in 4 stages (not everyone experiences all) :

• 1. Prodrome – Mood changes, food cravings, fatigue
• 2. Aura – Visual or sensory disturbances (in some people)
• 3. Attack – Severe headache (can last 4–72 hours)
• 4. Postdrome – “Migraine hangover” (fatigue, confusion)

🚩 Common Triggers

• Stress or anxiety
• Hormonal changes (e.g., menstruation)
• Skipping meals
• Certain foods (e.g., chocolate, cheese, red wine)
• Weather changes
• Strong smells or bright lights
• Sleep disruption

💊 Treatment Options

Acute (for attacks) :

• Over-the-counter pain relief (e.g., ibuprofen, aspirin)
• Triptans (prescription migraine drugs)
• Anti-nausea meds

Preventive :

• Daily medications (beta-blockers, anti-seizure drugs, CGRP inhibitors)
• Botox injections (for chronic migraine)
• Lifestyle changes

💡 Living with Migraine

• Keep a migraine diary (to track triggers and patterns)
• Stick to a regular sleep and meal schedule
• Stay hydrated
• Use stress-reducing techniques (yoga, meditation)
• Talk to a doctor about personalized treatment

⚡ Common Seizure Types

Seizures vary widely. The two main categories are :

1. Focal Seizures (Partial)

• Start in one part of the brain
• May involve strange sensations, confusion, or repetitive movements

2. Generalized Seizures

• Affect both sides of the brain

May include :

• Tonic-clonic (grand mal) : Convulsions, loss of consciousness
• Absence (petit mal) : Brief “staring spells” or lapses in awareness
• Myoclonic : Sudden jerks or twitches
• Atonic : Sudden loss of muscle tone ("drop attacks")

🚨 First Aid for Seizures

If someone is having a seizure :

• Stay calm
• Keep them safe — clear the area
• Place them on their side if possible
• Cushion their head
• Time the seizure
• ❌ Do not restrain them
• ❌ Do not put anything in their mouth

📞 Call emergency services if :

• The seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes
• They have trouble breathing after
• It’s their first seizure
• They are injured or pregnant

⚙️ What Causes Epilepsy?

In many cases, the cause is unknown. But possible causes include :

• Brain injury
• Stroke
• Tumors
• Genetic conditions
• Infections like meningitis
• Developmental disorders (e.g., autism)

💊 Treatment Options

While epilepsy is a lifelong condition for many, it can often be managed with :

• Anti-seizure medications
• Surgery (in some cases)
• Ketogenic diet
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Responsive neurostimulation (RNS)

About 70% of people with epilepsy can control seizures with medication.

💡 Living with Epilepsy

• Most people with epilepsy live full, active lives.
• Triggers like lack of sleep, flashing lights, stress, or missed meds should be avoided.
• Support, education, and community reduce stigma and increase safety.

🧍♂️ Motor Symptoms

• Tremor (shaking, often starting in the hand or fingers)
• Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)
• Muscle rigidity
• Postural instability (balance and coordination issues)
• Shuffling walk or reduced arm swing

🧠 Non-Motor Symptoms

• Depression or anxiety
• Sleep disturbances
• Constipation
• Cognitive changes (memory, thinking)
• Loss of sense of smell
• Fatigue

📅 Stages of Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s progresses in stages, from mild symptoms (stage 1) to severe disability (stage 5). However, progression varies widely.

⚙️ Causes & Risk Factors

• Cause : Largely unknown, but involves loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain.

Risk Factors :

• Age (most common over 60)
• Family history
• Environmental exposures (e.g., pesticides)
• Male gender (higher risk than females)

💊 Treatment Options

There is no cure, but treatments help manage symptoms

Medication :

• Levodopa (most effective for motor symptoms)
• Dopamine agonists
• MAO-B inhibitors

Therapies :

• Physical therapy (improves mobility, balance)
• Occupational therapy(daily tasks)
• Speech therapy(for voice and swallowing)

Advanced Options :

• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
• Supportive care (nutrition, exercise, counseling)

🧘 Living Well with Parkinson’s

• Regular exercise (e.g., walking, tai chi, swimming)
• Healthy diet and hydration
• Social supportand community groups
• Cognitive engagement (reading, puzzles, hobbies)

💡 Quick Facts

• Over 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s
• Not just an “old person's disease” — young-onset Parkinson’s can occur before age 50
• Parkinson’s is not fatal, but complications can be serious