Migraines

What are migraines?

Migraines are severe headaches that can become crippling when not treated. They’re characterized by pulsing or throbbing pain — often on one side of your head — along with additional symptoms. Determining the root cause of migraines is vital to detect or rule out severe underlying causes and ease disabling symptoms.

Which symptoms can migraines cause?

Migraines can cause the following symptoms:

• Pulsing, pounding, or throbbing head pain
• Severe headaches
• Dull aching
• Pain on one side of your head
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Muscle weakness
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating or speaking
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Frequent urination 
• Increased thirst or hunger
• Vision changes
• Ringing in your ears
• Numbness or tingling
• Touch, light, sound, or odor sensitivity
• Stiff neck
• Dizziness 

Your symptoms could become worse because of strong odors, bright lights, loud sounds, or intense physical activity. Migraines may last a few hours up to a few days and can hinder your ability to complete simple daily tasks. It’s common to have 2-4 migraines per month. 

What are the risk factors for migraines?

The exact cause of migraines isn't fully clear, but risk factors include:

• Ongoing stress
• Family history of migraines
• Hormone changes
• Some medications
• Weather changes
• Sleep changes
• Overexersion
• Skipping meals
• Caffeine
• Tobacco use
• Some foods
• Sleep disorders
• Epilepsy
• Anxiety
• Depression

Adopting healthy habits may lessen your chance of developing migraines. 

How are migraines diagnosed?

The Desert Pain Specialists team discusses your symptoms and medical history to determine if you suffer from migraines. They also complete physical and neurological exams and may order blood tests, brain activity tests, a CT scan, an MRI, or other imaging procedures to detect or rule out underlying causes of migraines.

How are migraines treated?

Treating pain caused by migraines may involve:

• Trigger point injections
• Nerve blocks
• Botox® injections
• Diet, exercise, or other healthy lifestyle changes
• Dietary supplements
• Medications  
• Avoiding migraine triggers
• Not using tobacco
• Nasal sprays
• Infusions
• Stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation
• Neuromodulation therapy 
• Biofeedback

Your Desert Pain Specialists provider tailors a treatment plan that provides a superior outcome and an exceptional quality of life. They alter your treatment as needed and follow up to ensure lasting results.

Schedule a migraine evaluation at Desert Pain Specialists by calling the office or booking a visit online today.