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Crushing the Myths About Migraines!

Although there are 29.5 million migraine headache sufferers in the USA, many people who are not affected by this legitimate health condition continue to believe commonly-held myths about migraine headaches.  According to the National Headache Foundation (NHF), some of the more common myths about are as follows:

MYTH:   Caffeine cannot help relieve a migraine.

FACT:   For certain migraine headache sufferers, caffeine is a migraine inhibitor, for others it is a trigger.  Keeping a headache diary can help determine whether caffeine helps or hurts your migraine.  Caffeine is found naturally and as an additive in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, certain soft drinks, and some pain relieving and acute migraine medications.

MYTH:   Migraines are not triggered by stress.

FACT:   Stress is a commonly recognized trigger of migraines.  Stress can be physical or emotional.  It can be good or bad.  It is an unavoidable part of modern life.

Events causing emotional stress can trigger a migraine headache.  Migraine sufferers are thought to have highly sensitized brains.  In times of emotional stress, certain chemicals are released that cause vasodilatation in the cranial blood vessels, which triggers nerve endings to release chemical substances called neurotransmitters, of which the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HTT) is an important factor in the development of Migraine.  Factors related to stress include anxiety, worry, shock, depression, excitement, and mental fatigue.  After a stressful period there may be a let-down which can, in itself, trigger a migraine headache.

MYTH:   Regular exercise may not help reduce migraine frequency.

FACT:   For those who suffer from chronic, recurring migraines, exercise can either provoke an attack or lessen the frequency and severity of these headaches.  If exercise or physical strain induce a headache, it is important to see a healthcare provider.  Maintaining a regular exercise program can reduce the number of headaches and contribute to overall good health

MYTH:   Dietary supplements cannot be helpful in migraine treatment.

FACT:   Those suffering from frequent migraines may have a low magnesium level.  Magnesium has a relaxant effect on smooth muscle, such as in blood vessels.  Daily supplementation of 500 - 750 mg increases the body's magnesium level.  Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) assists nerve cells in the production of ATP, an energy producing substance, which is essential for many chemical reactions to occur in the body.  High doses of riboflavin (400 mg. is recommended) may reverse cells' "energy crisis" during migraine attacks.

MYTH:   Migraine headaches are not triggered by a lack of sleep.

FACT:   Migraine headaches can be triggered by lack of sleep.  Go to sleep at the same time every night and wake up the same time each morning, including on weekends.  This maintains the body's natural circadian rhythm.

MYTH:   Migraine headaches cannot be triggered by exposure to smoke, odors or perfume.

FACT:   Certain fumes and vapors can initiate a migraine headache. Perfumes are also often a culprit. Being in public places which are smoke-filled or poorly ventilated can result in the onset of a migraine headache.

MYTH:   Migraines do not run in families.

FACT:   Migraines can be hereditary.  If one parent has migraines, the child has a 50 percent chance of having them.  If both parents have them, there is a 75 percent chance the child will develop migraine and if even a distant relative has migraines, there is a 20 percent chance the child will also experience them.

If you are suffering from migraines, you need to be aware of some things to avoid.  Some controllable triggers include bright light, chemical smells, second-hand smoke, particular alcohols such as red wine and some hard alcohols such as scotch, foods that are known vasodilators such as fish, some chocolate, aged cheese, and foods which contain nitrates and/or the radical vasodilator MSG (MSG is sometimes used to preserve freshness in restaurant foods in areas that are not controlled by law).

"Because migraine is an often misunderstood disease, it is important to dispel myths that may contribute to the confusion", said National Headache Foundation Executive Director Suzanne E. Simons.  "It is our hope that this effort will further the understanding that a migraine headache is a neuro-biologic disease.".

The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving headache sufferers, their families and the healthcare providers who treat them; promoting research into headache causes and treatments; and educating the public to the fact that headaches are a legitimate biological disease and that sufferers should receive understanding and continuity of care.

*** As set down by the Food and Drug Administration, vitamin supplement products cannot be advertised as intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. ***