Migraine awareness month. Before the migraines. Before the forgetfulness. Before the confusion. There was just a headache — the kind many women push through, brushing it off as another busy day. But for some, that dull throb becomes something more, something harder to name. This is a story about listening to the quiet signals your body has been trying to send.
When a Headache Is More Than a Headache – Migraine Awareness Month
It started with a patient in her early 40s. Slim frame, well-dressed, polite. She walked into the hospital complaining of yet another “nagging headache.” Third time in two months. This time, though, her tone was different.
“I forgot my son’s birthday last week,” she said, tears forming quietly at the corner of her eyes. “I picked him up from school, and he asked about cake… and I didn’t know what he meant.”
She had been dismissing the headaches as stress. She worked full-time, cared for her elderly mother, and always had too much on her plate. But memory loss? That felt terrifying.
By the time she arrived at the neurology clinic, her headaches had grown more intense — sometimes keeping her in bed for days. Light would sting her eyes, sounds became unbearable. Her colleagues thought she was exaggerating, even lazy. Her family chalked it up to “just being tired.”
But that moment in the clinic — when she couldn’t remember her son’s birthday — was the tipping point.
The physician sat with her for nearly an hour, listening without rushing. As she talked, fragments of other memory lapses came up. She had forgotten where she parked her car more than once. She had left the stove on twice in the past month. She couldn’t recall the name of her childhood best friend. Her voice quivered as she asked, “Is something wrong with me?”
The neurologist didn’t dismiss her. Instead, he gently began asking more questions — not just about her pain, but about her moods, her sleep, her daily routines. And with each answer, it became clear: this wasn’t just stress. It was a puzzle worth solving.
This story isn’t rare. During Migraine Awareness Month, we need to talk about what headaches, forgetfulness, and overlooked pain are really telling us. Especially in women. Especially in aging communities. Especially in places where silence still clouds serious conditions.
Migraine Awareness Month Isn’t Just About Headaches — It’s About Brain Health
Migraines are not “just bad headaches.” They’re a neurological condition affecting over 1 billion people worldwide — with higher prevalence in women, especially between the ages of 35 and 55.
But what makes Migraine Awareness Month so important is not just statistics. It’s the daily disruptions migraines cause — missed workdays, lost memory, family strain, and isolation.
The woman from earlier wasn’t alone. Doctors have seen increasing patterns: patients with long-term migraines also showing symptoms of brain fog, cognitive fatigue, and even memory lapses.
Why?
Because when your brain is consistently in pain, stressed, or inflamed, it can affect the way you remember, think, and function.
Chronic headaches can trigger anxiety, sleep disruption, and reduce oxygen to the brain — all of which may impact cognitive clarity. If you’ve ever forgotten where you kept your phone during a migraine spell, you understand.
More seriously, researchers are studying if there’s a long-term link between chronic migraines and increased risks of cognitive decline or dementia. Nothing definitive yet — but the conversations are growing.
And they should.
Alzheimer’s Early Signs: What Memory Loss Might Really Mean
Memory lapses don’t always mean Alzheimer’s — but they should never be ignored.
Alzheimer’s early signs often include:
- Forgetting familiar names or appointments
- Difficulty performing routine tasks
- Repeating questions within short timeframes
- Losing track of time or seasons
- Mood changes or irritability without clear cause
Here’s where migraine awareness month intersects powerfully: many people who suffer from migraines are more likely to experience sensory processing issues, depression, and mood swings — all symptoms that may overlap with early dementia signs.
This overlap can confuse patients, delay diagnosis, or result in treatment paths that miss the full picture.
That’s why brain health should be holistic.
If you experience migraines alongside foggy thinking, difficulty recalling words, or personality shifts — speak to a neurologist. Don’t wait for things to get worse.
It’s not about panic — it’s about paying attention.
Brain Health in Women: Why Pain Is Often Dismissed
Women are far more likely to be diagnosed with migraines — and far more likely to be dismissed.
How many women do you know who are told:
- “It’s just hormones.”
- “You need more rest.”
- “You’re exaggerating.”
Society often teaches women to minimize their symptoms. This bias extends into clinical care. Studies show that women’s reports of pain are more likely to be deemed emotional, while men’s are treated as medical.
In older women, symptoms like memory lapses are too often brushed off as “just getting old.”
But here’s the truth:
- Chronic migraines can indicate vascular or hormonal issues.
- Cognitive decline in women may begin earlier than expected.
- Mental fog and forgetfulness aren’t “just menopause.”
Brain health in women must be prioritized. And we must create spaces where women’s pain is believed.
Listening to Pain: Red Flags That Deserve a Doctor’s Ear
How do you know if your migraine or memory lapse is serious?
Here are some red flags:
- Migraines that last longer than 72 hours
- Sudden or new-onset headaches after age 40
- Numbness, weakness, or visual disturbances with migraines
- Trouble finding words or understanding speech
- Forgetting names of close family/friends
- Getting lost in familiar places
These signs don’t mean something is wrong — but they do mean something could be.
The woman who came to the clinic — she was lucky. A CT scan ruled out a stroke, but an MRI showed mild brain inflammation and some vascular constriction. She was placed on a treatment plan, got counseling support, and started cognitive therapy for memory strengthening.
She also joined a support group for women navigating migraine awareness month, many of whom had similar stories. That sense of community made all the difference.
Final Thoughts on Migraine Awareness Month: Don’t Shrug Off What Your Brain Is Saying
Your head hurts? Your memory slips? Don’t just pop painkillers and move on. These signs are not just annoying—they’re messages. From your brain. Asking for help.
Migraine awareness month is about more than raising awareness. It’s about changing how we respond to pain. How we talk to doctors. How we advocate for loved ones. How we redefine what “aging gracefully” looks like.
If your brain could talk louder, it would say: “Don’t ignore me.”
Let this story be your reminder. Take migraines seriously. Take forgetfulness seriously. Because in doing so, we take ourselves seriously.
