Throughout history, whatever humankind didn't understand engendered myths. Migraine and migraine sufferers (Migraineurs) are no exception. Medical science was slow in recognizing that there was such a thing as headache disorders, so the myths were our only explanations for . . . well, for a long, long time.

Medical science has advanced, and yet the myths persist, and Migraineurs are often blamed for their own suffering. Since you're reading this, I'll assume that you either don't believe those myths or don't quite know what to believe. In either case, your being here is a good sign. It means you want to know the truth.

An article from the Interstitial Cystitis Association tells the truth pretty well:

"Migraine is one of the most painful and frustrating benign disorders known to medicine... But to a person who experiences Migraine (often referred to as a Migraineur), Migraine is pernicious, evil, soul-stealing, life-robbing, expensive, exhausting, and humiliating. Measured by its effect on a Migraineur's life, Migraine is anything but benign."

Myth #1: A Migraine is nothing more than a really bad headache.
Truth: Wrong! Migraine is actually a disease of which a headache is a symptom. Migraine sufferers have unusually excitable brain nerve cells (neurons). When a migraine is triggered, those neurons suddenly fire electrical pulses that ripple from the back of the brain, across the top, then back down to the brainstem where vital pain centers are located. This "wave" causes blood flow to increase drastically, then quickly drop off again. The pain of migraine is caused by the blood vessels inflamed by the swings in blood flow, brainstem stimulation, or both.. Anyone can have a headache. Migraine is a disease that is genetically transmitted. That's a fairly simplified explanation, but it makes the point.

Myth #2: All doctors will diagnose and properly treat Migraine.
Truth: Ahem.  Wrong again. This is one of the biggest problems facing Migraineurs. Too many doctors still don't take Migraine seriously. Leading neurologists report that Migraine is under-diagnosed, under-treated, and misunderstood. Many Migraineurs will tell you that their fondest wish is that every doctor have just one Migraine so they'd truly appreciate them. It is estimated that 60% of women and 70% of men who have Migraine go undiagnosed. The U.S. Headache Consortium recently released treatment guidelines that will make understanding and treatment much easier.

Myth #3: Migraine and other recurrent headaches are caused by a psychological problem.
Truth: See the truth to #1.

Myth #4: Migraineurs are just lazy.
Truth: Give us a break here, folks. Migraine is one of the most disabling diseases today. It is very disruptive to the sufferer's lifestyle, and is the cause of more than 10,000 visits to doctors' offices each year.

Myth #5: Migraine is not life threatening, just irritating and frustrating.
Truth: Oh, my. No. Although usually benign, Migraine can result in stroke, coma, blindness, or aneurysms. That's why it's important that recurrent or unusually severe headaches be diagnosed and treated.

Myth #6: Only women have Migraine headaches.
Truth: Well, that would come as a surprise to any of the 6% of adult men who suffer from Migraine. Studies have proven that gender plays no favorites with Migraine.

There are many more myths associated with Migraine, but those listed above are adequate to demonstrate the point. Through misunderstanding, these myths were conceived. Only through research and enlightenment, will they finally be laid to rest. To find more information on Migraine myths, check out our Migraine Myths page and follow the links.

Science is making a great deal of progress toward understanding and treatment. To read more, check out:

• Encouraging Migraine News
       Part I: The New Research and Its Implications

• Encouraging Migraine News
       Part II: Important New Guidelines for Treatment