Migraine attacks happen to millions of people in the US. And yet, many people still have a lot of misconceptions about this highly prevalent symptom. From myths about going to a migraine chiropractor in Orem UT to migraines being just an ordinary headache, check out the list of 10 migraine myths you should stop believing in below.
10 Migraine Myths
1. Migraines and headaches are the same
Many people use headaches and migraines synonymously when they describe their pain to their doctor. Unfortunately, this only leads to confusion and failure to find a sustainable pain remedy. Take note that migraines attacks are a complex neurological problem that includes headaches and other symptoms like vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and sensory sensitivity.
2. Migraine attacks always occur with visual disturbances
Visual disturbances or aura like hazy vision, seeing wavy or flashing lights affect many migraineurs. However, it doesn’t mean that a migraine attack can’t happen without this specific symptom. According to the Migraine Trust Foundation, roughly 70 to 90 percent of migraine sufferers don’t experience aura. This type of migraine attack can last anywhere from four hours to a maximum of five days.
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3. Migraines only affect women
Indeed, migraine episodes tend to occur more frequently in women than men. However, this doesn’t mean that only women suffer from this debilitating symptom. For the male population, migraine attacks have a prevalence rate of roughly 8.6 percent.
By age 10, most males tend to have a lower tendency of migraine episodes compared to females. This is primarily because of the estrogen level fluctuations in the females during the childbearing years. Estrogen level in the body is the main factor that influences the severity and frequency of menstrual and hormonal migraines in women.
4. Taking pain medication is the only option
Surely, pain medications like NSAIDs provide quick relief from common migraine symptoms like headaches. However, it’s crucial to note that you have plenty of other options if you want to experience lasting relief from your migraine attacks. For example, you can visit a migraine chiropractor in Orem UT, make lifestyle adjustments, avoid migraine triggers, and allocate enough time to exercise.
5. Changing your diet is key to experiencing ZERO migraine symptoms
Many people notice that their migraines tend to worsen when consuming certain food items, including those containing a high amount of salt and preservatives. As a result, some believe that changing their diet alone can eliminate their migraine symptoms once and for all.
In truth, migraine is a highly complex neurological problem, so a simple diet shift isn’t enough to see lasting results. You may need to include other lifestyle changes like skipping alcohol, improving sleep quality, and managing stress.
6. There’s only one type of migraine
Sadly, there are several types of migraines. They come with varying levels of intensity and severity. In most cases, patients who seek the help of a migraine chiropractor in Orem UT may suffer from migraines with or without aura. Knowing the key differences between these two and their sub-types can make a huge difference in managing your symptoms.
7. Caffeine triggers migraine attacks
Caffeine is a fascinating plant-derived substance as it has varying effects on migraineurs. Some claim that they experience worse bouts of headaches when they drink caffeinated beverages. Others, on one hand, explain that caffeine helps them cope. These varying accounts of migraineurs on caffeine might stem from the ingredient’s ability to reduce blood flow in the veins. If you drink excessively or consume lesser than usual caffeinated products, you might exacerbate your migraine symptoms.
8. Migraines only occur in high-stress individuals
Truth be told, migraine attacks can happen to anyone. Stress is just one of the many migraine factors that can trigger an attack. This is why even the calmest person can experience severe bouts of migraine headaches. It’s important to know what triggers your episode so you can make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle.
9. Only adults and aging folks have migraines
Did you know that migraine episodes are among the main reasons for pediatrician clinic visits? That’s because about 10 percent of school-age kids experience migraine episodes. It’s also quite prevalent in teenagers and young adolescents. While the symptoms may not be as worse as those experienced by adults, dealing with migraines in kids can be equally challenging, especially when kids don’t know how to express what they experience.
10. Migraine attacks only happen once a month
The most unfortunate fact about migraine attacks is that they tend to occur several times each month. If you have the chronic type, you might have up to 15 episodes lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of days. It’s crucial to seek a sustainable remedy option from professionals like a migraine chiropractor in Orem UT so that you can curb the impact of your symptoms on your usual routine.
Seeking Help From A Migraine Chiropractor in Orem, UT
Migraines attacks can be quite debilitating, especially if they frequently happen. Fortunately, you can potentially get rid of the symptom or attenuate their effects on your life with upper cervical care. This specific approach is quite helpful because it provides the following benefits:
- Improves communication between the brain and other parts of the body
- Restores the average flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood to and from your brain
- Eases stress and tension on nerves pressed by misaligned neck bones
Upper cervical care is a promising natural remedy for chronic migraines. If you have been experiencing worse symptoms, you might find it helpful to consult with an upper cervical chiropractor and have your neck bone alignment fixed.
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