Tea Party presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann has revealed she suffers from chronic migraines, and some are asking if the headaches could have an effect on on her ability to serve as president. INSIDE EDITION reports.
Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann admits she suffers from chronic migraines and the news is causing controversy.
It started when a conservative web site, The Daily Caller, revealed Bachmann suffers from such intense migraines, they've landed her in the hospital. In the report, three unnamed former aides claim she pops "All sorts of pills. Prevention pills. Pills during the migraine. Pills after the migraine." The web site even asks, "Is she going to have the physical ability to withstand the most difficult challenges facing America?"
But medical experts say migraines should not disqualify someone from the presidency.
Women's health expert Dr. Donnica Moore tells INSIDE EDITION, "Stress is definitely one of the classic triggers for migraine and there are many stress management techniques. That doesn't mean that's a reason that somebody shouldn't be in a job that's stressful."
Bachmann's oldest son, Dr. Lucas Bachmann, says his mother has her own theory about her migraines. She thinks the excruciating headaches may come from wearing high heels.
"There are many prevailing myths about migraine but I have never heard any even a myth about migraines and high heels," says Dr. Moore.
Now both sides of the political spectrum are expressing concern about how the migraine story will impact Bachmann's candidacy. Her Tea Party supporters claim establishment Republicans leaked the story because they're trying to torpedo the campaign. Political liberals say it's sexist, because it implies that as a woman, Bachmann is too weak to handle being Commander-in-Chief.
36 million Americans suffer from migraines, including Ben Affleck, Whoopi Goldberg, and Serena Williams. Women are three times more likely to develop migraines than men are.
Dr. Moore says, "Migraine is not just all in your head. You might have systemic as well, classically nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, but the worst symptom is a severe throbbing pounding headache on one side of your head"
Bachmann's migraines seem to be a sensitive issue for her. ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross says her security roughed him up when he tried to ask about her headaches.
"I attempted to ask her that question, 'Have you missed any Congressional votes because of these migraines?' and the staff came up and pushed me away," Ross said.
"But I'd like to be abundantly clear: my ability to function effectively will not affect my ability to serve as Commander-in-Chief," Bachmann told supporters.
There have been presidents who suffered from migraines, including Thomas Jefferson.
