Do you suffer from headaches? If you do, do you when it is a migraine versus another kind of headache?
“Migraines can have a major effect on quality of life, but they are also highly treatable. People should not feel that they need to ‘just live with it.’ With an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan, many patients experience significant improvement and can regain control of their daily lives,” says Ahatjon Juraboev, MD, MPH, a neurologist from Northern Light Health.
Dr. Juraboev answered the following questions for us to provide some helpful information for those who may suffer from migraines:
1. What is the difference between migraine and other kinds of headaches?
While many headaches cause pain, a migraine is a neurological condition that can affect the entire body and brain. Unlike a typical tension headache, a migraine can significantly interfere with daily activities, work, school, and family life. While a regular headache will most likely cause head pain, a migraine is head pain with additional symptoms which come together.
2. What are the symptoms someone with a migraine may experience?
Migraine symptoms can vary from person to person. Common symptoms include:
- Moderate to severe head pain, often on one side of the head
- Throbbing or pulsating pain
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
- Nausea and sometimes vomiting
- Dizziness, spinning sensation or feeling off balance
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
- Fatigue
Some people experience an aura before a migraine, which can include visual symptoms such as flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots, or other temporary neurological symptoms.
3. Do you have any tips to help people avoid or reduce migraines?
While not all migraines can be prevented, many people can reduce their frequency by identifying and managing their triggers. Helpful strategies include:
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- Staying well hydrated
- Eating regular meals and avoiding skipping meals
- Managing stress through exercise, relaxation techniques, or mindfulness
- Limiting excessive caffeine and alcohol
- Keeping a headache diary to identify potential triggers
If migraines occur frequently, effective prescription treatments are available, so it’s important to discuss options with your primary care who can consider treating your migraines or may refer to neurology.
4. At what point should someone who experiences migraines see their provider?
Anyone who experiences frequent, severe, or disruptive headaches should discuss them with their healthcare provider. You should especially seek medical evaluation if headaches are becoming more frequent, are interfering with work or daily activities, or if over-the-counter medications are not providing relief.
In addition, seek urgent medical attention for a sudden, severe headache unlike anything you’ve experienced before, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, numbness, confusion, vision loss, difficulty speaking, or loss of consciousness. Because sometimes a new moderate-to-severe headache can be a symptom of something else which can range from something benign to something dangerous.
5. What kind of treatment is available for those with chronic migraines?
Individualized treatment plans can start with lifestyle changes, supplements, prescription oral medications, injectables, Botox, and devices.
Migraine care is a team effort. Patients can get treatment by neurologists who have strong experience in headache disorders and work closely with the neurology pharmacist. This collaborative approach helps ensure that patients receive individualized treatment plans, medication education, and ongoing support to help them achieve the best possible outcomes in fighting this debilitating disease.
One of the most common things I hear from patients is, “I wish I had come to the neurology headache clinic sooner. I did not realize that there were effective treatment options available, and I suffered for years longer than I needed to.”
If you suffer from migraines, talk to your primary care provider about what treatment options are right for you.