Celebrity Migraine Sufferers like Janet Jackson: What have they done for Migraineurs Lately?

The Huffington Post released an updated list of celebrity migraine sufferers, some of whom are active in raising migraine awareness. Still, the silence is deafening. What are some ways that famous migraineurs can help to raise much-needed funds for migraine research?

Marcia Cross

The star of “Desperate Housewives” has been one of Hollywood’s most outspoken migraine awareness promoters. In a People magazine article, she talked about having migraine headaches since the age of 14, and described them as stroke-like in nature.

Since then, she’s learned how to prevent migraines by avoiding food triggers like wine and chocolate. Also, she’s careful not to skip meals or sleep.

Her favorite exercises for reducing stress? Yoga and hiking, as she revealed to Help for Headaches.

“…I’ve found that if you don’t eat that chocolate bar or have that red wine, you can really reduce them,” she explained to Health magazine.

On coping with chronic migraines, she admits, “If I stress about migraines, it makes it more likely that I get one… I do what I need to do to take care of myself.”

Lisa Kudrow

The former “Friends” star is no stranger to migraines- not only has she dealt with excruciating migraines since childhood, but her father, Dr. Lee Kudrow, a cluster headache sufferer, is a renowned chronic headache specialist.

Cindy McCain

Migraine sufferers have a real podium with Cindy McCain, wife of ex-presidential candidate John McCain.

Cindy McCain struggles with migraine attack symptoms like debilitating headaches, vomiting, nausea, and photophobia. For years, she felt like an outcast, a hypochondriac. It wasn’t until she turned 40 that she finally received a diagnosis for migraines, a neurological disorder, she explained to Neurology.

Today, Ms. McCain is trying to raise funds for more research in migraine disorder, confirming to the word that migraines aren’t just a headache- they’re a legitimate disability.

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In addition to identifying migraine headache triggers, Cindy McCain also uses alternative migraine treatments, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, and relaxation techniques.

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann may not be winning everyone’s presidential vote, but she’s a great role model for the millions of female migraine sufferers around the world, disproving many misconceptions that migraine patients are crazy, weak, or lazy.

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In a statement released last year, she affirms, “Let me be abundantly clear – my ability to function effectively has never been impeded by migraines and will not affect my ability to serve as commander in chief,”

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson suffers from vestibular migraines, a type of migraine with aura. Symptoms include vertigo, visual disturbances, and piercing migraine headaches.

In 2008, Janet Jackson required 3 weeks recuperation from a migraine attack that occurred while touring.

So far, there have been no supportive statements urging migraine research or awareness from the Janet Jackson camp.

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth works hard to achieve that sunny demeanor. The Broadway star of “Wicked” and television star of “Glee,” “The West Wing,” and “GCB” has had her share of migraine attacks, one in particular that occurred on 2009’s Emmy night, in which she received an award.

Her preferred migraine treatment of choice, according to a Prevention magazine article, is Botox. She says that her migraines have reduced from weekly to sporadically, although she admits her initial fear that freezing her facial muscles would jeopardize her acting career.