Migraine

What causes migraines?

Migraines develop due to a complex cascade of events that begin when your trigeminal nerve, one of the nerves serving your face, overreacts to a trigger. The nerve sends signals to your brain, causing a wave of electrical activity that begins the migraine.

At the same time, other brain chemicals, such as serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP), dilate blood vessels and cause nerve inflammation. Their activity adds to your migraine pain.

What symptoms occur during a migraine?

Migraines may progress through four stages, each with their own symptoms. However, most people don’t experience all four.

Stage 1: Prodrome

You may or may not experience this stage, which causes vague symptoms the day or two before your migraine. For example, you may have food cravings or mood changes.

Stage 2: Aura

About one-third of migraine patients have an aura. Aura occurs shortly before your migraine, most often causing visual changes such as seeing flashes of light. You may also experience tingling sensations, hear noises, or have uncontrollable movements.

Stage 3: Attack

Everyone experiences this stage because it’s when the migraine begins, causing symptoms such as:

• Intense, throbbing pain around one or both temples
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vertigo (sensation the room is spinning)
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or smells

Without treatment, migraines typically last at least four hours and as long as 72 hours.

Stage 4: Post-drome

Some patients experience a fourth stage, consisting of lingering symptoms like dizziness and fatigue after their migraine ends. 

How are migraines treated?

The team at Goodlife Physical Medicine offers multiple migraine treatment options. The first step is helping you identify the things that trigger your migraines and then creating a plan to avoid them.

Everyone has their triggers, but a few of the most common include caffeine, certain foods, and lack of sleep.

You may need medications to take when your migraine begins to reduce the severity and duration of the headache. You may also need to take daily medicines that prevent or reduce the frequency of future migraines. 

Beyond medication management, your provider at Goodlife Physical Medicine may recommend one of the following migraine treatments:

• Therapeutic injections
• Botox® injections
• CGRP antibody injections
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Sphenopalatine ganglion block
• Peripheral nerve block
• Trigger point injection
• Neuromodulation

You can find relief from migraines at Goodlife Physical Medicine. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.