What are migraines?
About 12% of Americans get migraines, which are recurring, severe forms of headaches. You might experience pain on just one side of your head, throbbing or pulsing pain, nausea, weakness, or light and sound sensitivity. You might also notice visual auras or vision changes.
Migraines can last a few hours or even days if left untreated. Visit Interventional Pain Consultants for migraine relief.
What are the risk factors for migraines?
While migraines can happen to anybody, some factors boost your risk of getting them. Examples include:
- Anxiety and stress
- Hormone changes in women
- Bright lights
- Loud noises
- Genetics
- Family history of migraines
- Some medications
- Not enough sleep
- Too much physical activity
- Tobacco, alcohol, or caffeine
- Skipping meals
- Dehydration
- Eating certain foods
- Occipital neuralgia (inflamed or injured nerves)
Women are more likely than men to have migraines. Migraine frequency might peak in your 30s. Eating processed foods containing additives can trigger severe headaches.
How does my doctor diagnose migraines?
To diagnose migraines, your pain specialist reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms. They complete physical and neurological exams and might recommend you undergo blood tests, CT scans, or MRIs.
What are my migraine treatment options?
Depending on the severity and cause of your migraines, your pain specialist may suggest one of the following treatments:
Home remedies
At-home remedies you can try for migraine relief include relaxation techniques to reduce stress, avoiding processed foods, drinking plenty of fluids, limiting caffeine and alcohol, avoiding tobacco products, and getting regular exercise.
Trigger point injections
During trigger point injections, your provider injects a small amount of steroid and an anesthetic into painful, tight knots in muscles to relax them.
Occipital nerve blocks
Your pain specialist can inject pain-relieving medicine and a steroid into occipital nerves at the base of your head to block pain signals and reduce migraine pain.
Medications
Taking certain medications can reduce the frequency or severity of your migraines. Botox® injections can also lower your risk of developing severe headaches.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy exercises and stretches, as well as therapeutic massage, are ways to increase strength and flexibility, reduce muscle tension, and lower your risk of developing migraines. Interventional Pain Consultants can refer out for physical therapy services.
Don’t live with debilitating migraines when simple treatments available at Interventional Pain Consultants can offer you relief. Schedule an appointment by phone or book online today.
