Debunking Migraine Myths: What You Think You Know Might Be Wrong

Migraine is one of the most misunderstood medical conditions—plagued not only by pain but by persistent myths and misinformation. These false beliefs can delay diagnosis, worsen symptoms, and prevent patients from getting the care they need.

At TeleHeadache, our mission is to provide fast, accurate, and expert-driven migraine diagnosis and management—all online. In this post, we’re tackling some of the most widespread migraine myths and setting the record straight with science-based facts.

Here are 10 migraine myths you need to stop believing—right now.

Myth 1: Migraine Is Just a Really Bad Headache

The Truth: Migraine is a complex neurological disorder—not just a severe headache. It involves abnormal brain activity that affects nerve pathways and chemicals, often beginning deep in the brainstem. Symptoms can include:

• Throbbing, pulsing pain (often on one side of the head)
  
  
• Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Dizziness or vertigo
  
  
• Vision changes or aura
  
  
• Numbness or speech difficulties
  
  

A headache is just one part of the migraine picture. Many people have migraine attacks without any head pain at all.

Myth 2: All Migraines Are the Same

The Truth: Migraine symptoms and severity vary widely between individuals—and even from one attack to the next in the same person. Some people experience visual aura, others do not. Some get chronic migraines (15+ days per month), others have them only occasionally.

There are also subtypes like:

• Hemiplegic migraine (with temporary paralysis)
  
  
• Vestibular migraine (dizziness-focused)
  
  
• Silent migraine (aura without headache)
  
  

TeleHeadache’s virtual migraine specialists use comprehensive symptom histories to diagnose and differentiate your migraine type accurately—no guesswork, no delays.

Myth 3: Migraines Always Come with Aura

The Truth: Only about 25–30% of migraine sufferers experience aura, a series of sensory disturbances (like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots) that occur before or during a migraine attack.

Most people with migraine do not experience aura. This myth can prevent many from recognizing they even have migraine—delaying treatment.

Myth 4: Only Women Get Migraines

The Truth: While migraine is more common in women (due to hormonal fluctuations), men and children also get migraines. Around 18% of women and 6% of men experience migraines.

Mislabeling migraine as a “women’s problem” can lead to underdiagnosis in male patients and adolescents—groups that also deserve timely care.

At TeleHeadache, we treat patients of all genders and ages who experience migraine. Our approach is inclusive, empathetic, and evidence-based.

Myth 5: Caffeine Causes Migraines

The Truth: Caffeine has a dual role in migraine:

• In small, regular doses, it can be helpful as a pain reliever or migraine abortive
  
  
• In excess or when withdrawn suddenly, it can trigger migraines
  
  

Moderation and consistency are key. Many migraine medications even contain caffeine for its synergistic effects. But if caffeine use is erratic, it could become a trigger.

Our specialists help you understand your unique triggers—and whether caffeine should be part of your migraine toolkit or not.

Myth 6: A Special Diet Will Cure Your Migraines

The Truth: While food can play a role in triggering migraines (think chocolate, aged cheese, red wine, nitrates), there is no universal “migraine diet.”

What works for one person may not work for another. The key is keeping a headache diary to identify personal food triggers. Elimination diets should be cautious, strategic, and supervised.

TeleHeadache offers guidance on lifestyle and diet—tailored to you—not generic advice.

Myth 7: Migraines Are Painful But Not Dangerous

The Truth: While most migraines are not life-threatening, they are far from benign. Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide.

Symptoms can be so severe that they disrupt work, school, relationships, and daily life. Rare complications—like status migrainosus or hemiplegic migraine—do require urgent care.

We teach patients to recognize red flag symptoms (sudden severe headache, vision loss, confusion, paralysis, etc.) that warrant emergency attention—and how to manage everyday attacks safely from home.

Myth 8: You Need Imaging to Diagnose Migraine

The Truth: Migraine is diagnosed based on clinical history, not brain scans.

MRI or CT scans are usually not necessary unless there are atypical symptoms (such as new headaches after age 50, neurological changes, or “thunderclap” onset).

TeleHeadache providers conduct thorough evaluations and only recommend imaging when there’s a clinical reason—reducing unnecessary tests, costs, and anxiety.

Myth 9: Migraine Can Be Cured with Medication

The Truth: There is currently no cure for migraine, but there are highly effective treatment and prevention options that significantly reduce its impact.

These include:

• Acute medications (e.g., triptans, gepants, NSAIDs, etc)
  
  
• Preventive treatments (e.g., CGRP monoclonal antibodies, gepants, neuromodulation devices, lifestyle changes, etc)
  
  

Migraine management is a long-term, personalized journey—not a one-pill fix.

Myth 10: You Can’t Prevent Migraines

The Truth: Many patients can reduce migraine frequency and severity with the right prevention strategies:

• Daily or monthly medications
  
  
• Lifestyle modifications
  
  
• Trigger management
  
  
• Consistent sleep and hydration
  
  
• Stress reduction techniques
  
  

Preventive care is a core part of migraine management, especially for people who experience more than 4 attacks per month or have significant disability.

TeleHeadache’s experts build custom prevention plans based on your needs—because you deserve better than “just deal with it.”

How TeleHeadache Helps Bust Migraine Myths for Good

With so much misinformation online, it’s easy to fall for migraine myths. But knowledge is power—and our mission is to empower patients through access to accurate, expert care.

Here’s how TeleHeadache addresses migraine misinformation:

• Direct Access to Specialists: No gatekeeping. No referrals. Our board-certified headache doctors have designed TeleHeadache to help you meet your headache goals—with the option to meet with you directly—online, quickly, and privately.
  
  
• Evidence-Based Evaluations: We diagnose based on current headache guidelines, not outdated beliefs or overreliance on imaging.
  
  
• Personalized Education: Every consultation includes time to explain what’s actually happening in your brain—and how you can manage it.
  
  
• Convenience without Compromise: All from the comfort of your home, no travel or months-long waitlists required.
  
  

Our patients leave consultations relieved, informed, and validated—often for the first time.

Why Correcting Myths Builds Trust

When you see your own misconceptions addressed and corrected with clarity and compassion, it builds a relationship of trust and credibility. That’s especially critical in telehealth, where establishing connection without face-to-face contact can be challenging.

By consistently providing accurate, reassuring information—and encouraging proactive engagement in treatment—TeleHeadache becomes more than a clinic. We’re your long-term migraine partner.

Final Thoughts: Break Free from Misinformation

If you’ve ever wondered whether migraines are “real” or if you’re “overreacting,” this article should give you the validation you need: Your pain is real. Your experience matters. And help is available.

Migraines are a legitimate, complex neurological condition—and you deserve care grounded in facts, not fiction.

TeleHeadache is here to help you break free from myths—and break through to better days.

Ready to separate fact from fiction?
 Schedule a virtual consultation today at www.teleheadache.com and get real answers from real experts.