Misdiagnosis and misconceptions about Migraine are harmful to Migraineurs on several fronts. First, misdiagnosis and misconceptions about Migraine can prevent a Migraineur from receiving proper and effective treatment, leaving the Migraines untreated. Untreated Migraines not only greatly reduce the quality of life, but can be dangerous, leading to stroke, life-threatening dental infections, aneurysms, coma and even death. Similarly, misdiagnosis of Migraine as tension headaches or depression can lead to the prescription of unneeded drugs. Taking of drugs by a person without the underlying condition is always dangerous. In addition, the tendency of Migraine sufferers to treat themselves through OTC drugs, herbs, and other methods can not only be ineffective, but dangerous, for example to pregnant women. Misdiagnosis and misconceptions about Migraine can also lead to emergency rooms and other medical facilities to refuse to treat Migraine sufferers, as some doctors think such Migraine sufferers are just seeking medication and turn them away. (The scenario of a person faking a Migraine to receive drugs was depicted in an episode of the television show ER.) MAGNUM is working with doctors and emergency rooms to update and standardize the protocol for treating Migraine in emergency rooms. Misdiagnosis and misconceptions about Migraine oftentimes severely damage the work and family life of Migraine sufferers. Trying to overcome misinformation about you as a Migraine sufferer can be both exhausting and fruitless. Misconceptions about Migraine as being a result solely of stress or other controllable factors makes a person be perceived by themselves and others as weak, hypochondriacs, and unproductive. Both misconceptions about Migraine and untreated Migraines typically lead to unhappy family lives, loss of respect in the workplace, loss of jobs and greatly reduced quality of lives. Children who miss school fall behind and children who have Migraines in school can be ostracized, teased, and often remain isolated. |
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Information offered at this Web site by either a lay person or a health professional should not be interpreted as giving a diagnosis or a treatment recommendation. These can only be provided by a physician who has had an opportunity to interact with a patient in person and at length, with access to the patient's previous records and appropriate follow-up. |