Migraines Specialist

What is migraine?

Migraine, also known as a migraine headache, is a painful feeling in any part of your head. These aren’t ordinary headaches and they happen often, causing a severe, throbbing pain that usually affects one side of your head. 

If you have a migraine headache, along with intense head pain you may also notice other symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, and numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or face.

What causes migraine?

There are certain factors that trigger migraine attacks in many patients. These include, but aren’t limited to:

Hormonal changes

Estrogen is thought to have a role in causing migraine headaches because women are known to experience symptoms during menstruation and periods of hormonal change.

Emotions

Emotions like stress, depression, anxiety, and shock can all trigger migraine headaches.

Diet

Alcohol and caffeine, as well as foods like chocolate, cheese, and acidic ingredients, can contribute to migraine headaches.

Physical issues

Chronic sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and poor posture often trigger migraine.

Environmental issues

Loud noises, smoke, bright lights, and sudden temperature changes can all cause migraine.

There is no simple cause of migraine, but studies suggest that it may result from abnormal brain activity. Research also suggests that genetics play a role in migraine as patients with family members who suffer from the condition are more likely to develop a migraine and share similar triggers.

How do you treat migraine?

There’s no cure for migraine headaches, but through lifestyle changes and medication, you can manage your symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. 

Your practitioner at Katy Internists performs a physical exam to diagnose migraine based on your symptoms. The team may also order blood or imaging tests, like an MRI or CAT scan, to confirm the diagnosis. These tests also help rule out other causes of your headache and can help identify what is triggering your attacks.

Based on the severity of your symptoms and how often you experience migraine, your practitioner may suggest pain medication ranging from over-the-counter options like aspirin to stronger medications. Take these medications as directed because overuse can lead to your condition getting worse. If your symptoms include nausea or vomiting, your doctor can also prescribe anti-nausea medication. 

Identifying the triggers setting off your migraine is a key part of reducing your symptoms. By using a biofeedback device that measures your stress response to different scenarios, your practitioner helps identify stressful situations so you can control your response and stop a migraine before it begins.

If your symptoms last for longer than 72 hours, see an expert at Katy Internists as soon as possible. To get treatment for your migraine headache and to understand how to control your triggers, call the office or use the online scheduling tool to make an appointment today.