3 major myths about migraines and the fastest ways to get over them

Of more than 100 types of headaches, migraine is the most likely to send people to the doctor.Far more than just a bad headache, migraine is a complex neurologic disease that causes intense, throbbing pain along with severe nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.About 12% to 15% of Americans experience migraine, but women are three times more likely than men to get them.

Rates are similar in boys and girls until puberty, when migraine prevalence jumps to 18% in women compared to 6% in men.Migraine attacks often begin during the teen years and in people’s early 20s and 30s, when they’re frequently dismissed as something sufferers should simply “push through.”Here’s how to tell whether you’re dealing with a migraine or an ordinary headache — plus how to reduce your risk and the fastest ways to find relief.Unlike a typical headache, migraine attacks usually involve much more than head pain.They often come with disabling symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness and heightened sensitivity to light, sound or even smells.For many people, the pain is only one part of the condition.A migraine can make it difficult to think clearly, concentrate, work, attend class or carry out everyday activities.The pain can also interfere with sleep, creating a cycle that makes future attacks even more difficult to manage.Migraine attacks are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s important to pay attention to recurring symptoms rather than writing them off as just headaches.

Keeping track of when headaches occur, how long they last and whether they’re accompanied by symptoms like nausea or light sensitivity can help doctors determine whether migraine is the cause.Patients should advocate for themselves and encourage friends and family members with recurring symptoms to seek medical care as well.One of the biggest migra...