A migraine is not a headache, as anybody who suffers from it can tell you. A migraine is a neurological disease that affects the nerve pathways and chemicals in your brain. For migraine sufferers, just the thought of a migraine coming on can send shivers down their spine for it is more intense and disabling compared to a headache. Migraine attacks can result in lost work days and make you miss out on activities that are important to you. Anyone who suffers from migraine can never get enough tips for alleviating the pain.
What Does a Migraine Feel Like
Migraine pain is that throbbing on one side of the head that causes sensitivity to lights, sound, and nausea. Many migraine sufferers go through four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. Women are more likely to experience migraines more than men, due to hormonal fluctuations. Migraines affect approximately 28 million women in the United States. Estrogen medication may trigger migraines, so if you are on estrogen therapy, you may want to ask your doctor for alternatives.
Preventing an Attack
Treatments for migraine pain often focus on the period before it becomes a full-blown attack. Medication such as Ibuprofen taken before the onset of a migraine can help prevent the need to just lie down in a dark room until the symptoms pass, which could take days. A migraine could last 24 to 72 hours. Healthy habits and lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency of migraines in some people. Doctors recommend that you avoid skipping meals, which is a common migraine trigger, along with lack of sleep and high-stress levels.
Alleviating the Pain
To alleviate migraine pain, avoid bright lights, loud noise, and abrupt movements and place a hot or cold compress on the neck or head to help relieve the symptoms.
Medical treatments and medications to prevent an attack are available for patients with migraines. Other than ibuprofen, prescription medication such as triptans can block pain pathways in the brain. Botox injections are approved for treating chronic migraine sufferers and block the transmission of pain signals, preventing migraine attacks. The effects of Botox injections can last for up to 12 weeks.
A very small percentage of people who get migraines receive appropriate care. If you suffer from migraines, a doctor can help treat your symptoms and prevent future episodes. To make the most of your visit to the doctor, keep a migraine diary where you can jot down details that can help you with information such as your migraine triggers and which types of treatment offer relief.
Primary Care Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida
Dr. Ishan Gunawardene is an internal medicine doctor dedicated to helping his patients live their best lives. Migraines can impact your quality of life, and Dr. Gunawardene uses a combination of medicine,alternative therapies, and behavioral techniques to treat patients with chronic migraines.
Talk to Dr. Gunawardene about your symptoms and he will create a customized treatment plan just for you. To schedule a consultation, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now.
