Migraine

I have noticed that, on this forum and website, migraine is classified/termed as "migraine disease". However, it is also described as a "disorder" on the Merk website, which states: "Migraine is a primary neurobiologic disorder, resulting from dysfunction of the trigeminovascular system." So, what is migraine? Is it a disease, disorder, or syndrome? Could it be more than one of these? Does it matter?

I am also wondering if there is a hierarchy (real or imagined) in these terms. Is it truly more legitimate to have a disease rather than a disorder or does it just sound that way? Does having a disease rather than a disorder change the treatment? Does having a disease over a disorder change the public's perception?

This leads me to another set of questions. How did migraine become classified as a headache by the International Headache Society? Does this form of classification perpetuate the myth that migraine is "just a headache"? I would wager that sufferers of cluster headache would be just as enraged to hear that statment about them. Should these 2 disorders/diseases be removed and given their own classification apart from headache?

What about the National Headache Foundation (NHF)? They are dedicated to educating the public about migraine, cluster headache, tension headache, and chronic daily headache. Would the migraine community (doctors and migraineurs) want to separate from them?

What do you all think?

I don't think it really matters what you call migraine. We've been using "disease" here. They've recently changed the theory of what happens during a migraine attack, and they've also found a gene that affects migraine. But I don't know the difference between a Disorder and a Disease. I'm not even going to guess.

Whatever, I've got it. I appear to be genetically wired for migraine, just like I'm wired to be left handed and red headed (going gray under the Miss Clairol, but red from birth).

I've heard about Sickle Cell Disease for years. But Downs Syndrome is a Syndrome. And Bipolar Disorder is a Disorder. To me, they're just names.

Gretchen in Mississippi

There are a lot of questions here, really really good conversations to be had.

I don't think there is anything anyone can do, or say for that matter, that will change the way "they" feel about Migraine disease or headaches. Kind of like you say potato, I say potatoe. There are different types and subtypes of headaches and Migraines the International Headache Society (the gold standard) uses for diagnosis and insurance purposes.

Cluster Headache has its own classification as does NDPH, Migraine with aura, and Hemiplegic Migraine.

As far as having Migraine be a more "legitmate" disease rather than a disorder is something we all deal with on a daily basis. Kind of goes to the old, do they get it or don't they?

Whose up next?

Before coming to this site I was 100% guilty of using the words "headache" and "migraine" interchangeably. I wasn’t even aware I was doing it until I read articles from this forum and then it really hit home when I saw Teri’s graphic (badge) “Migraine a Disease Not a Headache” on her website Help for Headaches

Migraines are neurological and to me it is a disease just like my husband’s diabetes is a disease. I have to take medication everyday to help prevent a migraine just like he has to take insulin everyday to control his blood sugar levels.

Unfortunately, Nancy is right; this is something migraineurs have to deal with everyday. Is migraine a “legitimate” disease? Of course, those of use who have to deal with it in our daily lives are going to answer yes. It takes time and education of others to help them understand how debilitating this disease of ours really is and how much it affects our lives.

I no longer use the word “headache” when referring to my migraines and when my kids slip from time to time, I gently correct them. I also politely correct my friends and neighbors now too. I figure we have to start the education within our own homes and neighborhoods too.