Everyone has headaches from time to time, but migraines can negatively impact your daily life. While migraine has some similarities to regular headaches, they have obvious differences as well. This is how you can tell whether you are in the throes of a migraine compared with a regular headache.
What Is a Migraine?
A migraine is a chronic condition that doesn’t just cause headaches. Although it can lead to severe head pain, there is more to it than that. Head pain associated with migraine is often localized to one side of the head, usually behind one eye. Expert Care Center in Florida can better help you understand if the pain you’ve experienced in a migraine.
In addition to pain on one side of the head, you can experience, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound and a disabling effect. You may also experience aura at the onset, a visual sensation of flashing lights that signify an attack is coming. Migraine specialist treatment therapy can help to manage this and other problems associated with an attack.
Migraines commonly make it difficult to work, concentrate and perform your regular daily activities. If you suffer, migraine treatment can help to manage your symptoms.
What Can Trigger a Migraine?
Many things can trigger a migraine, but the most important thing is to listen to your body. A pain management specialist in Delray Beach can help you identify the things that trigger your migraine symptoms as no two people are alike. Lack of sleep is one of the biggest causes. Although it’s not always possible to get seven to nine hours of quality sleep, it can help to prevent an attack.
Certain foods and even sounds and smells can trigger a migraine. Many women get migraines because of hormonal changes. This can occur during their menstrual periods, pregnancy and perimenopause when their estrogen levels fluctuate.
Even weather conditions can trigger migraines. Consuming too much alcohol or caffeine may lead to an attack as well. Migraine treatment can help you feel better even when your triggers apply.
Many people suffer from migraines because of a genetic component. If someone in your family has migraines, there’s a good chance you will also end up developing them. Migraine specialist treatment therapy might provide some relief.
What Are the Treatment Options for Migraine?
Unlike regular headaches that can be treated with over-the-counter medications like aspirin or acetaminophen, migraines are usually more difficult to treat. A pain management specialist in Delray Beach may prescribe the same medications, but they might not be as effective. Other options include prescription medications like beta-blockers, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, triptans and even Botox injections.
Preventive care not involving drugs can also help treat migraine. Incorporating regular exercise into your routine, making dietary changes and practicing stress relief and relaxation techniques can help reduce your migraines. Keeping a journal can show where you have relief and when your symptoms worsen.
If you need treatment for chronic migraine in Florida, contact Expert Care Pain Management to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gazelle Aram, M.D. at your earliest convenience.