I don’t know if you got suckered in by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, but it is rather hard not to at least want to read/watch the franchise once. I remember burying my nose into the books – well, the first several ones. I have not watched all the movies, but there is something to be said about the story of this young boy with that lightning scar on his forehead.
For sure, one of the things that has been the topic of many a debate or discussion are the headaches that Harry Potter experiences. Whatever the “real” reason for those headaches may be, it seems that real life science might have something for us.
Muggles these doctors may be, but they seem to have found a neurological explanation for those splitting headaches. It used to be that the headaches were compared to migraines. However, if you have had migraine episodes, you will know that they last for far longer than Harry Potter’s fleeting – but not less intense – bouts of pain.
Now, the American Headache Society (yes there is such a thing; goes to show how many headaches we all have!), have presented an alternative explanation, which may be more feasible. The term to remember now is “nummular headaches”. This is a real disorder that can be described as feeling localized stabbing pain. The length of the episodes last two hours or less.
This type of headache is relatively new, but is definitely medical in nature and NOT magical as many might want them to be. Disappointingly normal? Sure. But in case you get those searing headaches, you now know what they could be. Alternatively, you can show off at the next party and say “nummular headaches”!
Read more about the study at Everyday Health.
Image via MSNBC