Migraines are among the major causes of disabilities worldwide. The disease affects more women than men affecting their productivity at work and home. Migraines cause severe pain that affects one side of your head. The symptoms are different between different people. It’s critical to have a comprehensive evaluation from a certified professional to avoid misdiagnosis. The neurologist NoMad in New York City offers advanced and practical care for headaches and migraines to promote your wellbeing. Read more to discover more about migraines.
What are migraines?
Migraines are severe and throbbing headaches usually felt on one side of the head. Usually, a migraine results from a trigger in your head nerves.
When the nerves experience a trigger, they produce a blast of electrical activity, causing biochemical reactions in your head. The reactions interfere with the blood vessels, leading to a migraine.
While some people experience migraines from particular triggers, the most common triggers for everyone include the following;
· Dehydration
· Stress
· Drinking alcohol
· Lack of sleep
· Changes in the weather
· Strong odors
· Certain foods
· Bright or flashing lights
Other triggers for migraines include caffeine, chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and cheese. Foods rich in histamines also trigger migraines, including processed meats, fermented foods, and dried fruits.
What are the symptoms of migraines?
Migraines develop over four phases. However, the phases may not be present to everyone. They include the following;
Phase 1, Prodrome
It includes the warning signs that usually happen before the actual migraine. Usually, you experience some changes that indicate you are about to have a migraine, such as mood changes or food cravings.
Phase 2: Aura
About a third of everyone who experiences migraines goes through this phase. It involves the changes that happen before you can encounter head pain. The symptoms include
· Vision changes
· Numbness or tingling sensation
· Difficulty experience
Phase 3: Migraine attack
The migraine starts in one side of the head causing shooting pain. With time the pain extends to cover both sides. You are likely to experience the following symptoms.
· Facial pressure or sinus pain
· Vertigo
· Nausea and vomiting
· Increased sensitivity to light, smell, and light
· Nasal congestion
· Dizziness
Without medications, the migraines may last from 4-to 72 hours.
Phase 4: Post-drome
At Post-drome, the pain has gone away, but you may not feel fully recovered. Usually, you may feel depressed, tired, or have trouble concentrating.
Treating migraines
The team at Modern Migraine MD works with you to identify your triggers and keep away from them. Your provider also offers medications to take at the first encounter of a migraine. The medicine lowers your pain severity and its duration.
There are medications to take daily to lower the occurrence of migraines in the future.
Other available treatments for migraine include the following.
· Botox injections
· CGRP monoclonal antibody injections
· Sphenopalatine ganglion block
· Radiofrequency ablation
· Neuromodulation
· Peripheral nerve block
Suppose you have migraines that disrupt your daily activities; Modern Migraine MD is here to help. For convenience purposes, they even offer telemedicine, where you can access your medical evaluation, among other services. However, you may need to visit the office for some treatments.
Contact Modern Migraine MD today to schedule your consultation or book your appointment online.