People who experience severe headaches no doubt are looking for ways to understand this chronic source of pain more thoroughly. Headaches, after all, have many different causes and symptoms. While many people call a particularly bad headache a “migraine,” migraines are associated with a unique set of symptoms and recommended responses. Consider whether the pain you experience is due to a migraine and if migraine treatment Jacksonville FL may be right for you.
What Is a Migraine?
Although not all the details of migraines are well understood, they are classified as a neurological condition that is often passed on genetically. There are a number of different types of migraines, each presenting in different ways. Some migraines can be differentiated from others based on the presence of a visual aura. Other migraine categories, such as hormonal and stress migraines, are named for their presumed cause. Still, others are named based on particular symptoms, including vestibular and optical migraines.
In general, people experience migraines in two separate stages. In the prodrome stage, you may notice changes in mood or energy level, potentially followed by the presence of an aura. The attack phase may involve severe unilateral head pain, dizziness, and nausea.
What Causes Migraines?
It is not clear precisely what causes migraines. Some patterns have emerged, however, that suggest issues related to sleep, stress, dehydration, stimulation, and neurochemicals play an important role. The predisposition for experiencing migraines is passed on through families in some cases.
Can They Be Cured?
There is not yet a complete cure for migraines, but the pain can be decreased significantly through various procedures and simple changes to habits. The least invasive response is to rest in a dark room and to practice stress-management techniques. It may also be helpful to avoid consuming caffeine, nitrates, aspartame, and alcohol.
There are also migraine medications available. Some of these are only used as needed while others must be taken daily. A number of people with severe migraines choose to undergo surgical procedures to help with the pain. These procedures include neurostimulation and injections of botulinum toxin.
If you are experiencing severe head pain, it’s important to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms align closely with those of a migraine, other neurological issues must be ruled out before starting treatment. By modifying your lifestyle and possibly trying medications or procedures, you may be able to decrease the impact of your migraines significantly.