Migraines Specialist

What are migraines?

Migraines are notoriously painful and often disabling headaches. When a migraine strikes, your pain might be so severe that you can’t function normally, as well as suffer from:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch
• Weakness and fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Difficulty thinking clearly

Before and sometimes during a migraine, you may get blurred vision or see lines and flashes of light known as an aura. Some people know a migraine is on its way because they experience signs such as mood changes and problems sleeping.

Why do I get migraines?

You might get migraines because your genes have sparked abnormal cell development in your brain. However, the exact cause of migraines isn’t clear, although it could well be a combination of factors.

What is known is that people who get migraines typically have triggers that increase the risk of an attack. These triggers could be anything, but some common ones include:

• Hormonal changes
• Bright or flashing lights
• Stress and anxiety
• Irregular or missed meals
• Lack of sleep
• Foods like chocolate and aged cheeses
• Alcohol and caffeine

Women get migraines more than men, which could be due in part to the hormone fluctuations women experience during their menstrual cycle.

Migraines are most likely to start in your teens and early 20s, and often reach a peak between 30 and 40. You’re unlikely to start having migraines once you pass 40, and people often find that they get fewer migraines as they enter older age.

What treatments can help with migraines?

You can do a lot to help yourself if you get migraines, such as:

• Exercising regularly
• Eating healthy foods
• Drinking plenty of water
• Getting enough sleep
• Not skipping meals
• Managing stress
• Identifying your triggers

Some patients benefit from taking medications that affect the calcitonin gene-related peptides (molecules closely linked to migraines) in your brain. Other drugs can sometimes be helpful too, such as antidepressants, anti-seizure medicines, and pills for lowering blood pressure.

Advanced migraine treatments available at Premier Pain Solutions include:

Sphenopalatine ganglion block

Your sphenopalatine ganglion is a bundle of nerves deep inside your midface. A block is an injection of pain-relieving medicine that helps to reduce the activity of pain nerves and reduce the severity of your migraines.

Medical Botox® injections

Botox disrupts the chemical messages from your nerves, which can help prevent migraines. If you’re experiencing frequent migraines, regular medical Botox injections could significantly reduce the number of times you have a migraine each month.

If you’re looking for effective ways to get your migraines under control, call Premier Pain Solutions today or book an appointment online.