Headaches are a widespread disease. More than 70 percent of all Germans suffer from it at least some of the time. Nevertheless, most people are insufficiently informed and numerous prejudices persist. We present the seven most common misconceptions about headaches.
Misconception 1: “You’re just too sensitive.”
People who miss work because of headaches are quickly seen as mimosas or quitters. This judgment is unfair: “Migraines and headaches are serious illnesses and not lazy excuses,” explains physician Dr. Waltraud Pfarrer. “In the worst case, patients have to lie in a darkened room for days – work is then out of the question.”
Misconception 2: “An Indian knows no pain.”
You don’t have to simply accept a headache. On the contrary, those who do nothing about it even risk chronic discomfort. “If the pain becomes more severe, persists for a long time or recurs repeatedly, a doctor should definitely be consulted,” recommends Dr. Pfarrer.
Misconception 3: “Rest is the only thing that helps.”
False. “Exercise relieves tension and eases pain. This is especially true for people suffering from tension headaches,” explains sports scientist Uwe Dresel. The case is different for migraine patients: “Exercise is indeed a good means of prevention, because it stimulates the production of the body’s own “painkillers“. However, sport is not recommended in the case of an acute migraine attack, as exercise makes the agony even worse,” says the expert.
Misconception 4: “Then I just take a tablet.”
Many patients believe they only need the right medication or a high enough dose to beat the pain. However, tablets are only one component of effective pain management. For example, it is essential to change one’s lifestyle habits. A regular sleep-wake rhythm is important, as is plenty of exercise and relaxation.
Misconception 5: “The cheese was to blame.”
Red wine, aged cheese, citrus fruits and chocolate are just a few foods that are considered potential triggers for migraine attacks. Although patients should take such observations seriously and discuss them with their physician, caution is advised: No specific substance has yet been identified with certainty as a trigger. Therefore, before eliminating certain foods from the diet, one should first observe the symptoms over a longer period of time in order to identify correlations. To prevent migraine attacks, it is advisable in any case to eat regularly.
Misconception 6: “The weather is getting to me.”
Föhn, high humidity, temperature fluctuations – many headache and migraine patients blame the weather for their suffering. In fact, no serious study has yet been able to prove a direct connection between the “thunderstorm in the head” and the climate. Headache and migraine sufferers should therefore rather pay attention to other possible triggers and not attach too much importance to the weather.
Misconception 7: “Painkillers with caffeine work better.”
Although caffeine enhances pain relief, it carries risks: “Addiction risk, drug-induced headache, stomach, kidney and liver damage are powerful arguments against these so-called combination preparations,” explains pharmacist Claudia Schaa. “Painkillers with only one active ingredient are better suited and more tolerable.”
