Migraine Headache Myths

There are lots of myths and assumptions made about migraines. Providing factual information is important for those suffering from the condition. It’s also important to know the facts when dealing with someone who may be skeptical about your condition and the symptoms that accompany it.

Myth: It’s all in your head.

Fact: Migraines are a real medical condition that millions of people suffer from each year. For some the condition is sporadic while others experience frequent attacks.

Myth: Only women get migraines.

Fact: Although migraine attacks are 2-3 times more common in women millions of men suffer from the condition as well. And among children the condition occurs almost equally among boys and girls. Some people play the gender card because they associate migraines with weakness and frailty – attributes that they also attribute to women, i.e., “the fairer sex.”

Myth: Migraines are a sign of a psychological, not physical condition.

Fact: Migraines are not a psychological condition. They are a biological disorder. Although some migraines are preceded or accompanied by mood swings this does not indicate a psychiatric condition.

Myth: Only certain personality types get migraines. For example people who are compulsive, overly sensitive, demanding, or uptight.

Fact: There is no migraine “personality type.” Some people who exhibit these qualities may have developed them as a result of their conditions. The frustration associated with misdiagnosis of the problem may also be a contributing factor.

Myth: People with migraines are weak; stronger people can deal with bad headaches, why can’t they?

Fact: Pain sensitivity and pain tolerance is different in each person. Also, pain is entirely subjective: one person’s definition of “severe pain” may differ from someone else’s.

Myth: Stress causes migraines.

Fact: Stress in and of itself does not cause a migraine however for a migraine sufferer, stress can be a “trigger” or a contributing factor that can result in an attack.

Myth: Sinus problems cause migraine headaches.

Fact: Sinus infections do not lead to chronic, recurring migraine headaches. Sinusitis, an infection of the nasal sinuses, can cause headaches, but these are not migraines. Antibiotics and sinus medication are only effective against sinusitis, not migraines.

Myth: You can do much to prevent or treat migraines; it’s something you just have to live with.

Fact: Medical advancements have resulted in several treatments for migraines. Some migraine medications, if taken early enough, can reduce or even prevent the onset of an attack.

Myth: Only adults get migraines, not children.

Fact: Approximately 10% of children experience migraines. If the attack is severe enough to impact a child’s daily activities and includes numbness, impaired vision, neck stiffness, fever, or difficulty balancing, seek medical help immediately.

Myth: TMJ causes migraines.

Fact: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder refers to a series of conditions that cause pain in the jaw and skull area and is not directly linked to migraines.

Myth: A severe migraine attack is a sign of a serious illness.

Fact: Migraines represent a temporary biochemical response or imbalance to events occurring in the central nervous system. When the imbalance returns to normal the pain subsides. Because some of patients experience are confusion, inability to speak, or weakness of limbs during an attack some people believe a stroke may occur. Migraine-related stroke can occur but it is extremely rare and tends to only occur in people with specific pattern of symptoms (see “Migraine-Related Stroke” in the Definition of Terms section on the Migraine Symptoms main page.

Myth: Allergies cause migraines.

Fact: There is no connection between allergies and migraines. Because so many people have some type of allergy it’s understandable that migraine sufferers might also have allergies. Although some sufferers experience relief when taking decongestants, it’s not because an allergy triggered a migraine – it’s because decongestants constrict blood vessels, including those responsible for head pain.

As with most medical conditions, a clear understanding of the conditions is a key factor to treatment.

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