Migraine Misperceptions
Migraines are very common. In fact, more than 37 million Americans have migraine disease.1 Several myths about migraines exist—among people who experience them and among friends, family and coworkers. Test your knowledge with this list of seven common misperceptions.
Misperception #1: All migraines have auras.
Usually visual, auras are “reversible symptoms of the nervous system.” They can include seeing spots, vision loss, difficulty speaking, hearing noises or sensations in your limbs.2 Of people who experience migraines, 25–30% get auras.3 Be sure to note in your headache diary whether you experience them, as this can impact your treatment options.
Misperception #2: Migraines are just really bad headaches. What’s the big deal?
While it’s true that a migraine is a type of headache, it’s actually a neurological disease. When a migraine attack occurs, it causes changes in the brain, and the pain can be much more intense than a tension headache.4 Some people confuse migraines with sinus headaches because migraines can cause nasal congestion and watery eyes. But along with those symptoms, migraines often cause nausea and sensitivity to light.5
Misperception #3: Everyone experiencing migraines should cut out certain foods and take supplements.
Certain foods or ingredients like caffeine are not triggers for everyone, and some people with migraine disease actually find coffee or soda helps get rid of headache pain. Caffeine is also an ingredient in some headache medications.4 Note that the list of potential trigger foods is long, and avoiding them all could be unhealthy.4 Talk to your doctor if you’re considering eliminating certain foods from your diet. Also, while some supplements may be safe and effective in reducing the frequency of migraines, it’s important to talk to your doctor before trying something new.
Misperception #4: Migraines are caused by hormones, and only women get migraines.
While women are 3 times as likely to get migraines, men can get them as well.5 It’s true that hormones and stress can be a major trigger, but the main cause of migraines is genetic.4 Having a family member with migraines increases your risk of experiencing them as well.2
Misperception #5: Pregnant women have no treatment options.
While some medications for migraine disease are unsafe for pregnant women, there are safe alternatives. Talk to your doctor about your options.4
Misperception #6: Over-the-counter medications consistently offer migraine relief.
Many people use over-the-counter headache medications rather than see a doctor who can help them prevent or treat migraine attacks. For headaches, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever may be effective. But if you have one to two migraine headaches per week, you can get into a medication overuse pattern that makes headaches worse.6
Misperception #7: Everyone with migraine disease has the same experience.
There’s a lot of variety within migraine experiences. While some people can continue to function when they get a migraine attack—although not as well as normal—others find them to be completely debilitating. The range of symptoms, such as light sensitivity and vomiting, can vary too.6
Of course, the misperceptions around migraine disease extend far beyond the six listed here. If you’re wondering what’s true and what’s a myth, talk with your doctor or call CareConnect Premier at 1-844-859-5007.
1. American Migraine Foundation. Living with Migraine. Available at: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/living-with-migraine/. Accessed October 22, 2019.
2. Mayo Clinic. Migraine. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/migraine-headache/symptoms-causes/syc-20360201. Accessed December 3, 2019.
3. American Migraine Foundation. Understanding Migraine with Aura. Available at: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-migraine-aura/. Accessed December 19, 2019.
4. American Migraine Foundation. Top 10 Migraine Myths. Available at: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/understanding-migrainetop-10-migraine-myths/. Accessed October 23, 2019.
5. Office on Women’s Health. Migraine. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/migraine. Accessed December 3, 2019.
6. Cleveland Clinic. These 10 Migraines Myths Are Hogwash. Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/these-10-migraine-myths-are-hogwash/. Accessed December 19, 2019.