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NO.10 WINTER 2014

Myths and facts about migraine

Frequently Asked Questions: Useful Answers by MigraineQubec.com

In collaboration with MigraineZro. depression. Similar networks are

1) MYTH: A migraine is just a bad headache. FACT: Migraine is a neurological disease, and headaches are but one of its symptoms. Many other symptoms

involved in both conditions (serotonin, noradrenalin).

3) MYTH: Since there is no known cure to migraine, there is no point in treating it. FACT: Although there is no known cure as of now, some specific drugs and lifestyle changes can help treating and controlling migraines. If your migraine attacks affect your social and family life,

accompany migraine attacks: nausea, intolerance to noises, lights, and odours, neck pain, and difficulty concentrating. During a migraine attack, these

symptoms can make it impossible for migraine sufferers to function normally.

2) MYTH: Migraine is caused by psychological factors such as stress and depression. FACT: Migraine is not a psychological disorder, but a neurological disorder for which exact causes are unknown. Stress and depression are not the source of migraines; however they can contribute to the frequency and the intensity of attacks. Therefore, some events that generate emotional stress can trigger migraines. Furthermore, there is a link between migraines and anxiety or

you should consider consulting a doctor. For some, migraines can be very occasional and bring few consequences, but for others, the impacts are severe.

4) MYTH: Every headache is a migraine, therefore it is not dangerous. FACT: Migraine sufferers can develop different types of headaches at different stages of their lives, which can be a sign of a potentially serious health problem.

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5) MYTH: Migraines are not life threatening, they are just annoying. FACT: Statistically, most migraine attacks and headaches are painful and inconvenient, but not dangerous.

NO.10 WINTER 2014

levels in women are one of the factors behind this ratio.

8) MYTH: Doctors know all there is to know about headaches and migraines since they are easy to treat. FACT: This is far from the truth. Migraine is one of the hardest diseases to diagnose, treat and understand. There is still much that remains undiscovered

However, the quality of life of the sufferer can be seriously affected. Work absenteeism and difficulty in planning activities can bring major consequences.

6) MYTH: The more medicine you take, the better you will feel. FACT: Many medicines used to treat migraine attacks (analgesics, opioids, ergotamine, triptans) can also make them worse when taken too frequently. The resulting problem is called a druginduced headache or rebound headache. Weaning is necessary to break the vicious cycle between the use of medicines and headaches.

and new treatments have to be developed. The patient often has to try many combinations under a doctors

supervision before the best possible treatment for an individual is identified.

9) MYTH: Exercising regularly does not contribute to a reduction in frequency of migraines. FACT: For chronic or recurrent

migraine sufferers, exercising can either trigger a migraine attack or decrease

7) MYTH: Only women suffer from migraines. FACT: Migraine is particularly

their frequency or intensity. If exercising or physical exertion trigger migraines, it is important to see a health specialist. A regular exercising program appropriate for the individuals capacities can reduce the frequency to of a migraines general and health

incapacitating for people aged 35 to 45, but it can also affect younger people and even children. In Europe and America, migraines affect 6-8% of men and 1518% of women. Fluctuating hormone

contribute

improvement.

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NO.10 WINTER 2014

HEADACHE WARNING SIGNS

When should you be worried? Any headache that you are concerned about warrants further investigation: - A headache different from your usual headaches. - Neurological symptoms: loss of vision, double vision, paralysis, confusion, speech impairment - Other symptoms: weight loss, fever - A severe or sudden headache. - A headache that intensifies day by day. - A headache that increases with exertion, coughing or while lying down.

DETECTING MIGRAINE Migraine cannot be detected on x-ray machines or magnetic resonance imaging, even during an attack. Because of this invisibility, migraine sufferers are not always taken seriously by family members or health staff. However, migraine is a real, electrical and neurochemical neurological phenomenon. Migraine diagnosis is based on symptoms and on the exclusion of another probable cause behind headaches.

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