Headache... or Migraine?

Migraine is a frequently misunderstood ailment. Here are just a few of its myths.

Myth: Migraine isn't serious; it's just a bad headache.
Reality: Migraine is an incapacitating neurovascular disorder — and headache is only one of its many symptoms. At its worst, an unsuccessfully treated migraine can disable the sufferer for days at a time. Studies in Europe and the U.S. showed that people with migraine reported losing between 2 and 15 workdays per year due to migraine. A Canadian study indicated that people lost an average of 6.5 workdays per year due to migraine, and worked 44 days while struggling with symptoms. Ten workdays were estimated to be lost due to ineffectiveness. Another study showed that 78% of people with migraine felt that it significantly affected their lives and 62% required bed rest during their attacks.

Myth: Only women get migraines.
Reality:  Although women sufferers do outnumber men 3 to 1, both men and women get migraines.

Myth: Migraine is not associated with any other disorders.
Reality: It has been shown that a number of conditions occur with increased frequency in individuals with migraine. People with migraine are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, manic depression and epilepsy. Migraine is also associated with stroke, especially in women under 45. In addition, a World Health Organization survey ranked migraine in the highest disability category.