Migraines

What are migraines?

Migraines are a common kind of severe, recurring headache. They cause throbbing pain, typically on one side of the head, that lasts at least four hours and may persist for several days. In addition to head pain, migraines cause a range of other unpleasant symptoms, including:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Pallor (pale skin)
• Sweating and/or chills
• Speech changes
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision

Physical activity usually worsens these symptoms, so you may be unable to function at work or school. Light, touch, sound, and smell sensitivity increases and may be so unbearable that you must lie in a quiet, dark place during a migraine.

Around 15-20% of people suffer from classic migraines, meaning they experience auras. Sensory disturbances may cause you to see spots, lights, bright flashing dots, wavy or jagged lines, or sparkles. You may develop blind spots or even temporary sight loss.

These symptoms are distressing, but they wear off when the migraine is over and don’t usually harm your brain.

How can I reduce migraines?

If you suffer from migraines, keep a record of everything you do so you can identify your triggers. Most people have one or more migraine triggers — activities, foods, and other things that are likely to bring on a migraine. Common triggers include:

• Stress
• Red wine
• Aged cheese
• Cured meats
• Chocolate
• Sleep disturbances
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Dehydration
• Bright light
• Hormone imbalances

Many women with migraines find that hormonal changes during their menstrual cycle and menopause trigger migraines.

Identifying likely triggers enables you to avoid or manage them, reducing migraine frequency. If your migraines still occur frequently or significantly impact your life, visit Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine for expert treatment.

What treatments get rid of migraines?

While there’s no cure for migraines, the Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine team offers an extensive range of treatments. These include:

• Muscle relaxants
• Tricyclic antidepressants 
• Antiseizure medications
• Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors 
• Glucocorticoids 
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Chiropractic care
• Trigger point injections
• Nerve blocks (local anesthetic injections)

Some treatments reduce migraine attack frequency, others lower an attack’s severity, and some do both.

Patients who experience frequent migraines and severe headaches (15 or more per month) can receive medical Botox® injections. This treatment interferes with how your nerves communicate with the muscles.

Call Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine to arrange a migraine evaluation or schedule a consultation using the online booking feature today.