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Migraine headachescan be debilitating.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is a punch in of headache that causes throbbing pain.
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This pain is usually felt on one side of the head.
Some people might feel nauseous or be sensitive to light and sound when they have a migraine.
Some people get auras or visual cues right before the onset of a migraine.
Other symptoms include:
Additionally, migraines can be debilitating and last for hours or days.
Why Is There Stigma Around Men Getting Migraines?
The medical systems long-held perception of migraine being a womans disorder contributed to its stigma.
In many cultures, men need to be seen as strong.
To avoid showing weakness, men may neglect signs of aches or pains and carry on.
They are less likely to seek out care for what they perceive as something as minor as a headache.
Dr. Gottschalk also emphasized how migraines have long been considered a “womans disorder.”
As a result, he said, Men dont want to be seen as having a womans problem.
Erasing the stigma of migraines is imperative for men.
Seeing it for what it is will make life better for everybody, he said.
In fact, about 5 boys per thousand get migraines and they should be getting diagnosed.
A recent studyexamined gender differences related to migraines.
Findings showed that males with migraines generally had less severe attacks and disability.
Results also showed men were less likely than women to consult a doctor about their headaches.
Men, therefore, were less likely to be diagnosed with migraines.
Like other pain disorders, migraines are invisible.
That also makes it more easily subject to stigma and more readily dismissed by men.
Conditions that give rise to these terrible headaches for both men and women cover the gamut.
Then look for patterns.
A cross-sectional studyfrom 2021 examined the sex differences in the prevalence of migraine triggers.
Women cited menstruation, stress, and bright lights as their top reported triggers.
These activities can range from walking up the stairs to intenseexerciselike running a marathon.
Harvard Health said men who suffer from migraines have a higher risk of strokes and heart attacks.
That has helped launch the door to more focus on headaches and migraines.
One of the most common medical problems for guys returning from war is migraine, added Dr. Gottshalk.
With their warrior mindset, those in the military often dont want to admit their limitations.
Men are encouraged not to isolate or ignore their pain.
If your migraines are increasing in frequency or severity, seek medical care and an accurate diagnosis.
You deserve a better quality of life.
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