There is so much information out about migraines that sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes we even find ourselves on information overload and begin to wonder what is a fact and what is a myth. Here is a a fun diagram to show a few of the migraine myths and facts that are out there.
| Myth | Fact |
| Stop Eating Chocolate and your migraines will stop | Chocolate if often thought of as a trigger but it could also be related to the content-specific foods or drinks & not an actual migraine trigger |
| The length of a migraine is usually an hour or less | While there’s no set time for the duration of a migraine, it is said to be anywhere from 4 to 72 hours |
| People should be able to carry on as normal with a migraine | Everyone is an individual and effects of migraines are different from person to person. They can have an impact on your work, social life, etc. |
| Everyone has a specific migraine trigger | Not everyone is able to identify their migraine trigger. For many it’s a combination of several things, and triggers can also change over time |
In addition to these few things noted above, there are a few other myths:
- Only women have migraines. This is a myth. Both men and women can get migraines. 18% of women and 6% of men get migraines, so although the percentage is a little higher for women, men do, in fact get migraines.
- Only adults suffer from migraines. Another myth! Children and teenagers also can get migraines. However, sometimes with children their symptoms tend to differ to those of an adult. For example, many children actually have stomach migraines which can be just as debilitating, but also can be much harder to diagnose.
- All migraines are the same. If you personally suffer from migraines then you know this is definitely a myth. There are several different types of migraines. Here are just a few of the types to consider but this is by no means a comprehensive list:
- Migraine with aura
- Hemiplegic
- Basilar
- Ocular migraines
These are specific types of migraines which do not necessarily come with a headache.
These are just some “fun” facts about migraines. From reading this, you can tell that migraines vary and there is no “one size fits all” by any means. I would love you to hop on a free call with me so that we can discuss your migraines and have a strategy session on how you can even add some natural and holistic remedies into your treatment to help you become more pain free.
Migraines run in my family, often being hormonal or related to weather. Mine were actually triggered by a food sensitivity but even at that time, every migraine was different. Thank you for bringing attention to the individuality that suffering can bring.
Thanks for responding, Marian. Migraines also run in my family and many of my extended family suffer too.
This is good to know, particularly with regards to triggers. I was not aware that some people never manage to become aware of what their trigger is! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing, Bettina. Triggers are so different for different people, but it goes a long way when we know what our triggers are. I have several myself, and have learned to cut out the foods, but weather and barometric change is a big one for me and sometimes that is hard to deal with in Florida!
I’m an expert on one kind of migraine – mine 🙂 They are from stress – physical or mental and they come – after things settle down and I relax. My first migraine was about 8 years ago. The aura scared me so bad that I called my eye doctor and went straight over to see him – many tests later – I have lots of stories but no solution. I drink pineapple and ginger for nausea and take hydrocodone for the pain and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. It is incapacitating about 4-8 days a month now. No bright lights, no loud noises, no Fox News (LOL..I take advantage) – and pillows are my best friend when the hydrocodone doesn’t work. Someone told me that liver can cause migraines – I might try that next 🙂 Thanks – keep up the good work and let me know when you discover a cure 🙂 Good work. ~Cathy