Migraines

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Migraines are intense headaches that can severely affect your quality of life. Migraine attacks can last 4-72 hours if left untreated, and include:

• Pain in one or both sides of your head
• Throbbing or pulsing pain
• Sensitivity to light and/or sound
• Nausea
• Blurred vision

Some people experience warning signs before a migraine develops. These symptoms leading up to a migraine can include visual disturbances, frequent yawning, mood changes, and neck stiffness.

After the pain and symptoms of a migraine fade, many people feel drained, weak, or dizzy. The after-effects of a migraine can last up to 24 hours.

What causes migraines?

It can be difficult to determine the cause of your migraine attacks. Hormonal changes, brain chemical imbalance, and environmental factors can all cause migraine pain. For some women, changes in estrogen levels trigger migraines.

Migraines can increase in frequency before or during your period, during pregnancy or menopause, or while taking hormonal contraceptives.

Food and drink can also cause migraines. Processed foods, foods high in salt, or foods with additives like aspartame or monosodium glutamate (MSG) can trigger migraines in some people. Some beverages, like alcohol or drinks with a lot of caffeine, can also cause migraines.

Other things that might cause migraines include:

• Stress
• Bright lights and loud sounds
• Changes in sleeping pattern
• Intense physical exertion
• Weather changes
• Medications

Get in touch with South Coast Family Medical Center if you’d like to learn more about the ways in which your lifestyle is conducive to migraines.

How are migraines treated?

Many people with chronic migraines go undiagnosed and untreated. If you regularly experience headaches that interfere with your ability to perform at work or at school, you might have migraines.

It’s often helpful to keep a record of your migraines, along with notes about how you treated them. A record can help you and Dr. Kent Davis determine potential migraine triggers and get started on a treatment that works for you.

The two main types of medication for chronic migraines are preventive and pain-relieving. Preventive migraine medications are taken on a regular basis to reduce the frequency and intensity of your migraines. Pain-relieving medications are taken during a migraine attack to help stop the symptoms.

You don’t have to live with the pain of migraines. Visit South Coast Family Medical Center for treatment today. Lauren Kent Davis, DO, Christopher Michael Davis, DO, and their team can help you find relief. Call the office today for more information.

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