Why Didin"t My Doctor Tell Me All This About Migraines Earlier?
There are a number of commonly held beliefs about migraines that make it hard for sufferers to get proper diagnosis and
treatment.
1) Migraines are not real (all in the head, an overreaction to a normal headache, etc.).
Not true. Migraines are a biologic primary headache disorder. Even migraine pain is not confined to the head, though that
is generally where it is worst.
2) Migraines have a known cause.
Sadly, no. There have been several interesting theories put forward in the last decade, but no single, definitive biological
cause of migraines has been identified thus far.
3) All migraineurs have the same symptoms.
No, they don't. This is one of the things that makes migraines so hard to diagnose, particularly if a patient's doctor is
only familiar with the most common symptoms.
4) A doctor can tell if it's a migraine or not.
Not always. The wide spectrum of symptoms that can accompany migraine can make it difficult to diagnose, more so if the patient is not forthcoming with their doctor about all their symptoms.
5) Migraines are curable.
Again, not true. Once properly diagnosed, many migraine sufferers still have to devote a lot of time and energy to managing their condition through medications, natural and homeopathic remedies, as well as diet and lifestyle changes. The various available coping methods work differently for each individual, so there is not even a single protocol of care.
6) Migraines are a woman's headache.
Not true. Women migraineurs do outnumber the men three to one, but there is no evidence the condition is sex-linked in any way.
7) Only adults get migraines.
Not true. Migraines have been diagnosed in adolescents, children, and even infants.
8) Every headache a migraineur experiences is a migraine
Not true. Migraine sufferers can have regular sinus, tension, or stress headaches just like anyone else.
9) All migraineurs experience vision disturbances or aura: a warning sign that a migraine is coming
Not true, not every person with migraines has an aura. Those who do usually develop one about 10 - 15 minutes before the headache. However, it may occur just a few minutes to 24 hours beforehand. A headache may not always follow an aura.
10) After the migraine has gone away, all the symptoms disappear too.
Not true. Symptoms may linger even after the migraine has gone away. Patients with migraine sometimes call this a migraine "hangover."
treatment.
1) Migraines are not real (all in the head, an overreaction to a normal headache, etc.).
Not true. Migraines are a biologic primary headache disorder. Even migraine pain is not confined to the head, though that
is generally where it is worst.
2) Migraines have a known cause.
Sadly, no. There have been several interesting theories put forward in the last decade, but no single, definitive biological
cause of migraines has been identified thus far.
3) All migraineurs have the same symptoms.
No, they don't. This is one of the things that makes migraines so hard to diagnose, particularly if a patient's doctor is
only familiar with the most common symptoms.
4) A doctor can tell if it's a migraine or not.
Not always. The wide spectrum of symptoms that can accompany migraine can make it difficult to diagnose, more so if the patient is not forthcoming with their doctor about all their symptoms.
5) Migraines are curable.
Again, not true. Once properly diagnosed, many migraine sufferers still have to devote a lot of time and energy to managing their condition through medications, natural and homeopathic remedies, as well as diet and lifestyle changes. The various available coping methods work differently for each individual, so there is not even a single protocol of care.
6) Migraines are a woman's headache.
Not true. Women migraineurs do outnumber the men three to one, but there is no evidence the condition is sex-linked in any way.
7) Only adults get migraines.
Not true. Migraines have been diagnosed in adolescents, children, and even infants.
8) Every headache a migraineur experiences is a migraine
Not true. Migraine sufferers can have regular sinus, tension, or stress headaches just like anyone else.
9) All migraineurs experience vision disturbances or aura: a warning sign that a migraine is coming
Not true, not every person with migraines has an aura. Those who do usually develop one about 10 - 15 minutes before the headache. However, it may occur just a few minutes to 24 hours beforehand. A headache may not always follow an aura.
10) After the migraine has gone away, all the symptoms disappear too.
Not true. Symptoms may linger even after the migraine has gone away. Patients with migraine sometimes call this a migraine "hangover."
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