What is Migraine?
Migraine is a REAL neurological disease.
It is a chemical and electrical phenomenon in the brain that affects approximately 14% of Canadians.
During a migraine attack, different zones of the brain get activated.
A cascade of events leads to the release of inflammatory molecules near the sensitive nerves inside the skull.
This leads to symptoms that go well beyond a headache.
People experience sensitivity to light, sounds, smells and movement, and many also have nausea and vomiting, brain fog, dizziness, and neck pain. In between attacks, the migraine brain is also hypersensitive to sensations, and it processes serotonin differently.
Migraine impacts an estimated 5 million Canadians.
The World Health Organization recognizes migraine as the third most common disease in the world, impacting 12-14% of people globally. In Canada, the number of people impacted by migraine is staggering.
%
of women
%
of men
%
of children
Frequently Asked Questions About Migraine
What is the difference between migraine and a headache?
A headache is a symptom of migraine. Although migraine is one of the most common causes of headaches, they can be caused by many different diseases. Individuals who experience frequent, severe, or unusual headaches should contact a healthcare provider to understand what may be causing this symptom.
To learn about other headache causes, such as tension-type headaches, visit our Other Headaches page.
Is there a cure for migraine?
Migraine is not “curable,” but for many it is “treatable.” While there is no one-size-fits-all, complete and total cure for migraine, it is possible to control them (usually with a combination of medication and lifestyle modifications). If migraine attacks are affecting your work, family, or social life, consider seeing a doctor.
How difficult is it to diagnose and treat migraine?
It is not easy to diagnose or treat migraine. Migraine does not show up on imaging and it is not always well understood by health providers, so it can be harder to diagnose than other diseases might be. Treatment can also be challenging, as people respond differently to treatments. You may need to try several medications before you find the one(s) that work best for you.
Are there different types of migraine?
Healthcare providers may categorize migraine in several ways:
- By frequency (episodic, frequent episodic, and chronic)
- By how the symptom of aura presents (typical visual aura, complex aura, hemiplegic migraine)
- By other medically relevant factors (depending on circumstance, you may hear terms like “menstrual migraine” or “refractory migraine”)
These categories can be helpful when seeking diagnosis and treatment. For more information on this topic, visit our diagnosis page.
Is migraine a disability?
For many Canadians, migraine is indeed disabling. A migraine attack is classified by the World Health Organization as one of the most disabling health events (along with quadriplegia and schizophrenia). Because it affects so many people during their productive years, migraine is ranked as the second cause of years lived with disability, way above other health conditions.
For more information, visit Work and Disability.
What should I do if my migraine headache feels different than usual?
During their lifetimes, people with migraine can sometimes develop different types of headaches. An unusual headache could be a sign of a potentially serious health problem. The signs of an alarming headache that needs further medical attention include:
- Headache that is different from your usual headache, including sudden onset (thunderclap) headache.
- Neurological symptoms: loss of vision, double vision, paralysis, confusion, speech disorder.
- Other symptoms: weight loss or fever.
- A headache that gets worse over several days or with exertion, coughing, or lying down.
Get More Information
Migraine Causes and Triggers
The predisposition for migraine is genetic. Understand the science of how this disease works – and why it differs so much from person to person.
Migraine Diagnosis in Canada
Migraine does not show up on standard brain imaging. Find out what Canadian health providers should be looking for when diagnosing migraine.
Treating and Managing Migraine
Medicine is complex, and migraine is variable. Explore our list of management and treatment options to find out what might work for you …
Many Canadians don’t understand migraine – together, we can change that!
Migraine is perceived by many Canadians as a psychiatric disease, as “just a headache,” or even as a made-up excuse to avoid work or social interactions. As you can see here, that is far from the truth! In the old days, people would say “It’s all in your head” – the truth is, “It’s all in your brain!”
At Migraine Canada, we are spreading reliable information and awareness to reduce stigma and fix these misperceptions. Help us reach and educate more Canadians and advocate for the millions of people impacted by migraine nationwide.