If you suffer from migraine headaches, you know firsthand how debilitating they can be. More than 15% of American adults suffer from chronic facial pains like jaw pain, earaches, or headaches. Although these headaches are extremely common, there are a lot of misconceptions that continue to persist about migraines and effective migraine headache treatments. One reason for this is that migraines don’t manifest themselves in the same way for every sufferer or even during every episode. And while most of us will get a bad headache at some point or another, not every severe headache can be classified as a migraine.
If you suffer from migraines and are in need of better chronic headache treatment, our center is here to help. But if you want to prove your misinformed friends and family members wrong (or simply want to learn a bit more about these headaches yourself), read on to find out the truth behind these migraine myths.
Migraine Headache – True or False Quiz
TRUE OR FALSE? Migraines are just really bad headaches.
ANSWER: FALSE. Migraine attacks will typically feature a headache prominently, but it’s only one of many symptoms that occur. In order to obtain a migraine diagnosis, the attack actually has to have more than just a headache. Migraine patients often experience sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vision blurriness or changes, vomiting, or an aura, in addition to pulsating head pain. And sometimes, an attack won’t include a headache at all! Many migraines will last up to 72 hours, but for some patients, they can last for weeks or even months. Even after the main symptoms subside, patients will often be extremely fatigued or will experience muscular strain. So while a normal headache is no picnic, migraines are infinitely more exhausting and are often much more painful.
TRUE OR FALSE? Only women suffer from migraine headaches.
Answer: FALSE. Of course, people of all genders can get migraines. It is true that a greater percentage of women have these headaches: up to 75% of those who suffer from migraines are women, and migraines account for 64% of severe headaches in women, as opposed to only 43% of severe headaches in men. But there are other factors and triggers unique to women that are likely causing that discrepancy. Physical and emotional stress are a common trigger for migraine sufferers, and women will typically feel these effects more strongly than many men. Hormones can also play a huge role, which means use of birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy, as well as menopause and the regular menstrual cycle, can set off migraines. However, there are tons of potential triggers that occur in both men and women, and they’ll vary from person to person.
TRUE OR FALSE? You can’t prevent or treat migraines.
ANSWER: FALSE. While migraines can be unpredictable, you don’t have to simply live with your pain. Working with a specialist can help you to identify triggers and obtain a chronic headache treatment plan that actually works. Many migraine sufferers can be helped with treatment and by limiting stress and exposure to triggers. Some patients also discover that their migraines are brought on by sleep apnea, teeth grinding or jaw pain. Our TMJ and Sleep Centre specialist can determine whether TMJ or jaw arthritis and tension might be contributing to your migraines.
If you’re a migraine sufferer in need of comprehensive chronic headache treatment, the TMJ and Sleep Centre is here to help you. To find out more about the best options for migraine headache treatment South Bend has to offer, contact us today.