What Migraine Sufferers Need to Know 

A migraine isn’t just another headache. While a migraine does involve a headache, there is much more to it. A typical headache only involves aching or pain in the head itself, while migraine headaches are far more severe and can last days or even weeks. If you’re a migraine sufferer, you can seek treatment at our Austin clinic to deal with a migraine that you currently have. Further, you can also see us regularly to help reduce your risk of developing them often. 

Those who have experienced migraines know that the typical headache involves something that feels like pressure on one side of the head. A migraine, however, is more severe than this. Someone with a migraine will often have to bring their days to a stop to lie down in a quiet, dark room. Additionally, migraines can cause you to become sick to your stomach and hyper-sensitive to smell.

Types of Headaches

Cleveland Clinic explains that there are more than 150 types of headache. They fall into two main categories: primary and secondary headaches.

Primary headaches

Primary headaches are those that aren’t due to another medical condition. The category includes:

• Cluster headaches.
• Migraine.
• New daily persistent headaches (NDPH).
• Tension headaches.

Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches are related to another medical condition, such as:

• Disease of blood vessels in the brain.
• Head injury.
• High blood pressure (hypertension).
• Infection.
• Medication overuse.
• Sinus congestion.
• Trauma.
• Tumor.

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a type of headache that occurs due to many different reasons. They are typically characterized by a painful throbbing sensation, as well as sensitivity to light and sound. In its worst forms, a migraine can be debilitating or even incapacitating.

Migraines also have additional symptoms which include nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and sensations of numbness or tingling in the extremities.

As stated previously, migraines are not just a headache like any other. They are entirely different beasts that require special attention to reduce their frequency or eliminate altogether.

What Causes Migraines?

Research has just begun into the intricacies of the nervous system and how a migraine affects it. However, there are some common triggers and potential causes that patients and doctors alike have identified. Your migraines may be the result of:

• Blood sugar fluctuations
• Stress
• Interrupted or unusual sleeping patterns
• Hormonal imbalances and changes
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, or the compound known as tyramine
• A wide range of food allergies
• Alcohol or drug addiction
• Brain chemical imbalances
• Dehydration and electrolyte issues

Who is at Risk?

Mayo Clinic explains that there are several risk factors that could make you more prone to having migraines. Those risks include:

• Family history: If you have a family member with migraines, then you are at a higher risk for developing them too.
• Age: Migraines can begin at any age, however, the first often occurs during adolescence. This type of headache tends to peak during your 30s. After this, they will gradually become less severe and less frequent as you get older.
• Sex: Women are three times more likely than men to have migraines.
• Hormonal changes: For women who have migraines, headaches might begin just before or shortly after onset of menstruation. They might also change during pregnancy or menopause. Migraines generally improve after menopause.

Migraine Treatment Options

For many people, the first line of defense against a headache is through pain-killing medication. However, that can often come with many unwanted side effects. There are safer treatment options for your headaches, such as:

• Lifestyle recommendations to help you avoid common triggers. For some people, triggers can include different foods, beverages, scents, and more.
• Testing for food allergies and environmental sensitivities.
• Tissue manipulation and trigger point therapy to relax tight spots that could be causing the reaction.
• Spinal care that could relieve nerve pressure.
• Testing for acute damage to the nerves throughout the neck and spine.
• In some cases, surgery may be recommended to relieve pressure on the nerves.

Prevention

Our team at Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center is certified to provide cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal decompression therapy. Through non-surgical decompression therapy, we can help prevent migraines and lessen their impact on your daily life. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your risk of this type of headache, reduce the frequency or severity of them, or if you are looking to start living a headache-free life, call Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center for an appointment today at (512) 806-0015.