I was talking about migraine diesease with other colleagues. And it became apparent that there is a misunderstanding of migraine for many healthcare professionals. What it is, what causes it, and what are triggers.
People use the words “cause” and “triggers” synonymously. But these words are not the same thing when it comes to migraine disease. They are important to distinguish between the two in order to create a better understanding of migraine as a disease, and change the way it is perceived by those who don’t suffer from it.
Migraine is a neurological disease with a genetic component, about 60% is related to genes. The cause is due to hyper-reactivity in the brain that results in nerve, chemical, and blood vessel changes.
These reactive changes in the brain bring on a migraine episode that may include aura, headache, and many other accompanying symptoms.
Migraine triggers are factors that start a migraine episode that has already been primed to occur. Triggers can be modifiable and non-modifiable. And they vary greatly from person to person.
It's important not to blame triggers as the cause of migraine as the disease is serious and complex.
Blaming migraine attacks on stress, diet & weight, lack of exercise, dehydration, or the weather we minimize how significant of a burden the disease places on one's quality of life.
This is harmful and further stigmatizes those with the disease.
Did you know the difference?