5 Common Migraine Myths, Debunked

 Headaches are generally defined as pain or discomfort in the head and neck region. However, despite the simple term, over 150 types of headaches create mild to severe problems for people globally, stemming from a wide variety of causes, with many requiring different treatments. This set of head problems can stem from primary or secondary causes, and whether you have short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) issues with them, managing them can be confusing due to the numerous conditions involved.

Migraine is a neurological illness that millions struggle with, which can also cause confusion because people often want to treat them like other headaches. There are many things you should know about this condition to treat it properly, so let’s explore more about it, what most people get wrong, and look at your options for treatment.

Dr. Shivan Amin and his dedicated medical team at Midtown ENT are here to assist West Midtown, Atlanta, Georgia, residents with headache issues, including migraines.

Migraine basics

Migraine is a lot more than just a bad headache; it’s an ongoing neurological condition that comes in multiple phases:

• Prodrome: starts a day before any pain and comes with concentration problems and mood changes

• Aura: motor, sensory, and speech symptoms that can last up to an hour

• Attack/pain: a pain that can last up to three days with nausea, light, and hearing sensitivity

• Postdrome: comes with hangover-like symptoms, stiffness, and focusing issues

You don’t have to go through all phases of migraine to be diagnosed with it, and the number of phases you go through may change over time. The pain and symptoms are often bad enough to interfere with basic daily functions, and these debilitating problems affect as many as 12% of people in America.

Misconceptions about migraines

Here are just some of the things people often get wrong about migraine:

1. Migraines are the incorrect use of the term

Referring to migraine as a condition you get multiple times (i.e., migraines) is a very common misnomer. The American Migraine Association clarifies that not only is the term migraines incorrect, it is also incoherent; you don’t get this type of headache multiple times, it comes and goes as part of the same neurological problem. You always have migraine, when you’re struggling, you have migraine attacks with symptoms.

1. Medicines can’t treat it

If you try to take regular headache medications to treat a migraine, you’re not likely to get relief. This doesn’t mean it can’t be treated; in fact, there are many medications available to do just that.

1. Diet and supplements can cure it

There are changes you can make in your lifestyle to reduce the things that trigger a migraine attack, but none of these things will cure it.

1. Migraines must have aura

There are several types of migraine, including those with and without aura. In fact, the one without aura is known as a common migraine. 

1. Caffeine causes migraine

This misunderstands the difference between cause and trigger. Caffeine is one of many things that can trigger a migraine attack, but it doesn’t happen to everyone.

Treatment options

Managing migraine attacks will depend on several issues unique to you, such as age, the frequency of attacks, migraine type, severity, associated symptoms, and other health problems you have. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing known triggers and stress management, can help lower incidents. Still, medical options include neuromodulation devices, hormone therapy, beta blockers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, Botox injections, triptans, and CGRPs.

Migraine attacks can make your life miserable, but getting help is better achieved through understanding the myths and facts about your condition. Make an appointment with Dr. Amin and Midtown ENT today to treat your migraine problems.