What really is a migraine?
With spring just around the corner, many people who get headaches and migraines will see an increase in attacks due to the change in weather.
Dr. Bradford Talcott is a board-certified headache and migraine specialist. He says there are many myths regarding migraines. They are actually a genetic disease caused by hyperactive neural function.
“Almost anyone who’s got a severe headache that will sometimes disable them or that is having to take Excedrin or ibuprofen or something over the counter, almost all of those people are actually suffering from migraines,” Talcott said.
He says some over-the-counter medications people typically take can actually make migraines worse and harm the body.
“Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that are the most widely used things available over the counter can cause stomach issues, can cause kidney problems if they’re overused, can cause ulcers,” Talcott said. “And unfortunately, if non-steroidals are used too frequently, they actually can make your migraines happen more often.”
Talcott says a migraine is not just a headache. It is a state of brain dysfunction, and the pain that comes from a migraine is very real.
“Actually, the greatest portion of disability from a migraine does not come from the pain you experience, it comes from the state of brain dysfunction where you can’t focus. You can’t think. You can’t act normally. You’re irritable. Sight, noise, everything bothers you. You don’t want to talk to people. You want to be left alone,” Talcott said. “And most people, if they have the option, they just want to go bury their head in the sand, lay in a dark room, put a pillow over their head, they don’t want to talk with people. And it’s not because it hurts so bad, it’s because your brain is literally in revolt, it’s screaming, it doesn’t want to function.”
Talcott helps many people who have migraines manage them. He wants people to know they are not alone.
“A lot of people have given up hope,” he said. “They’ve lived with them for so long. They’ve maybe gone to a few doctors, had a few things tried, nothing seemed to work, but I want people to know that there is hope for people with migraines.”
Talcott says migraines are one of the most common diseases in the world and about 36 million Americans have them.
