As previously noted, there is abundant misinformation about the causes and treatment of migraines in the general population and, in some cases, among health care professionals. If you or someone you love live with migraine, it's important to separate fact from fiction and educate those around you who seem convinced of some of the more common misconceptions about this disease.

Learn how to debunk the following common migraine myths:

• “It's just a headache.” It's easy for those who have never experienced the pain and disability caused by migraine disease to trivialize the disorder. But migraine is not “just a headache.” It's a neurological disorder that can impact your ability to work, go to school, and enjoy life — especially if your migraines are frequent.

• “Sure, it hurts, but I just have to deal with it.” The head pain of migraine is not something you have to suffer through. By getting a proper diagnosis and working with your health care provider, you can find the treatment option that's right for you.

• “My chronic headaches can't be migraines, because they only happen when I'm stressed.” Stress is a common trigger for a migraine attack. Many people believe that because their head pain is triggered by stress, they must have a tension headache. Migraines are usually focused on one side of the head, while the pain of tension headache is usually described as a tight band around the head. A full diagnostic work up by your health care provider can help you determine what type of headache you have.

• “Migraine is a symptom of mental health issues.” While some mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorder, occur more commonly in migraineurs, they are not the cause of migraine and not everyone with migraine experiences these conditions. Furthermore, it's unclear whether the association is the result of living with chronic migraine pain or if it's truly a comorbid condition. Depression and anxiety are certainly valid reactions to dealing with chronic migraine pain.

• “I'm still able to function, so it must not be a migraine.” Migraine pain may be moderate to severe. If you're just getting by when you suffer a migraine attack, remember that there are many treatment options available to you that can improve your quality of life tremendously.

• “Most people who have migraines are just hypochondriacs.” Migraine has a clear diagnostic framework. Neurological imaging studies show visible changes in the brain during a migraine attack. Specific genes have been linked to some types of migraine. It is a medical disorder that has been documented extensively in the medical literature, and the physical, emotional, and financial toll migraine takes is very real.