Migraine headaches are the most well-known types of primary headaches; however they are also the most misunderstood. People have been suffering from migraines for centuries, and somehow the old beliefs associated with these debilitating headaches are still being considered as facts by a lot of people. People need an explanation for diseases and conditions they suffer from, and since experts haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact cause of this condition, people tend to cling to the old beliefs that explain what a migraine is and why they occur even if there is no scientific basis to support these claims.
Busting the Myths
The migraine myths people hold on to can be harmless, but some of them actually cause more harm than good. In order to get true relief from this condition, these myths must first be dispelled in order for migraineurs to focus more on treating the headaches instead of the myths that won’t do them any good. Here are some of the most common myths and misconceptions about migraines.
- Migraines are just bad headaches. Not all bad headaches are migraines. In fact, a migraine is just one of the many types of headaches. If a severe and chronic headache caused by other underlying medical conditions is misdiagnosed as a migraine, it can lead to more serious and even deadly circumstances. Another thing about this myth is that it classifies the headache as the condition, when in fact the headache is only a symptom of the actual problem. The truth is, there are people who suffer from migraines that don’t experience the pain most migraineurs do.
- You don’t need to see a specialist for a migraine. Genuine migraines are difficult to diagnose and your primary physician may not be trained to spot a migraine. If you suspect that you’re suffering from a migraine, it’s best to go to a headache specialist for proper diagnosis.
- Migraines are limited to adults and women. Though it’s less common, children and men also experience migraines. Migraineurs from this portion of the demographic are often the most misdiagnosed because of this myth and some doctors don’t even consider the possibility that their headaches are caused by a migraine.
- A headache without an “aura” is not a migraine. An aura or the sensory disturbance that comes before the actual headache happens only in 25-30% of people who suffer from migraines. It is also possible for people who experience the aura phase not to experience the headache that usually defines what a migraine is.
- There’s nothing that can be done about migraines. While it’s true that there’s no way to get rid of the condition entirely, there are ways to manage the main symptom of this condition which are the debilitating headaches. With proper diagnosis and trigger identification, the headache attacks can be greatly reduced and special medications can help manage the pain.
Suffering from migraines can be a real setback to one’s daily life, especially if the condition is chronic. The first step to being able to reclaim your life is through proper education about what migraines are and how to manage them.