10 Migraine Facts That Might Surprise You

Ten Surprising Things to Know About Migraine

Almost everyone has heard of migraine, but far fewer know that it takes several different forms and can affect mood, behaviour and eating habits. Here are ten facts about the condition that may take you by surprise.

1. Migraine is one of the most severe headache types

Migraine is much more than a bad headache. Besides the pain, an attack can cause sensitivity to light and sound, nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, and tiredness or drowsiness.

2. It is a chronic condition that stress can set off

It is a common myth that caffeine withdrawal or sugar causes migraine. These can make you feel worse, but they are not the underlying cause. Many people have at least one attack each month, and some have more than fifteen headache days a month. Tracking food triggers in a diary and steering clear of known triggers can help lower how often and how badly symptoms appear.

3. Migraine can be prevented or managed

For the millions of Americans who live with common types of migraine, prevention and management strategies are available. Doctors often combine two or more medications for the best relief, and may prescribe treatment when attacks are frequent or disrupt daily life. If over-the-counter options are not enough, ask about prescription choices such as triptans. Changing your diet can also help when certain foods or drinks are triggers — and not just sugary or refined-carb foods. Dairy may make headaches worse for people with lactose intolerance, while other common triggers include aspartame, MSG, nitrates in processed meats, caffeine or alcohol withdrawal, and dehydration.

4. Mood, behaviour and eating habits can change

During a migraine attack, people may notice shifts in mood, behaviour and eating habits. Depression often appears during the worst attacks, although it is not always caused by the migraine alone. Many patients become sensitive to smells and light, which leads them to avoid activities involving those triggers, such as going out or attending social gatherings.

5. Around 25% go on to have frequent attacks

About one in four people with migraine later develop frequent attacks — more than fourteen migraine days a month. This chronic form is more common in women than in men.

6. Most people have about one migraine a month

Many people have episodic migraine: more than one headache a year, but not daily. Others have chronic migraine, with fifteen or more headache days a month, sometimes lasting several days. Some develop chronic migraine without ever having had episodic migraine, and these individuals often respond poorly to standard episodic treatments.

7. About 10% develop comorbid conditions

A comorbid condition is one that occurs alongside another. Depression is often comorbid with migraine, and studies suggest that about 10% of people with migraine develop additional conditions. Depression and anxiety are the most common, though panic attacks, IBS, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome also occur. Having one condition does not mean you will get another, but sharing your history with your doctor can help make sure these issues get the attention needed to reduce severity and duration and improve overall outcomes.

8. Women are more likely to have aura

Migraine is a brain disorder, and nearly everyone affected experiences some pain. Women, however, are more likely than men to have migraine aura with visual or sensory symptoms. Aura is a disturbance in vision or other senses that happens before or during an attack, and it can sometimes point to another condition such as stroke or transient ischemic attacks.

9. Knowing your condition helps you make better choices

Understanding your migraines matters. Learn your triggers — you cannot avoid them all, but knowing them shows what may be happening in your body and can guide changes that reduce how often or how severely attacks occur. Cutting out trigger foods, for example, can make a real difference, and recognising triggering activities can alert you to situations that may be unsafe. Learn about each treatment option too, so decisions about medication versus alternatives such as massage therapy rest on solid information rather than anecdotes.

10. Migraine is very common — and manageable

Migraine is the most common type of primary headache. There is no cure, but doctors can prescribe medication to manage attacks and reduce how often they happen, and many people find that preventive steps such as avoiding stress or bright lights help them head off future episodes.

Further Reading

Learn more about specific migraine forms and common misconceptions.