|
Killer
Headaches
Migraine headaches can be crippling in their intensity. The symptoms can be
so severe that you just can't function. Your most pressing desire is to find a
dark place that's quiet so you can just lie down until it goes away. Migraines
affect up to 17 percent of the female population and 6 percent of the men.
The Pain Of A Migraine Is Disabling
Sometimes a migraine is preceded or accompanied by an aura which is a kind
of warning sign. An aura can be a sensation of tingling in your extremities, or
visual disturbances that manifest as flashes of light or blind spots. Some
migraine sufferers experience photosensitivity (sensitivity to light) and
sensitivity to sound. Other common symptoms are nausea and vomiting. The pain
of a migraine headache is excruciating and can disable you for several hours or
even days at a time.
New Medications Can Bring Relief
If
you've seen a doctor for your migraines with no success, it's worth making
another appointment. There have been dramatic improvements in the management of
migraines within the last decade. There's still no cure, but there are new medications that can bring a reduction in the frequency of migraines and help
keep the pain at bay once a migraine headache has begun. Changes in lifestyle
and some home remedies can also make a vast difference in quality of life for
migraine sufferers.
Here
are some of the signs and symptoms that come with migraines:
1) Head
pain on one or both sides of the head.
2) Head
pain of a pulsating or throbbing nature.
3) Pain
that gets worse with physical activity.
4) Pain
that interferes with everyday activities.
5) Nausea
sometimes accompanied by vomiting.
6) Sensitivity
to sound and light.
Left untreated, migraines can
last anywhere from 4-72 hours. Some sufferers experience migraines several
times a month, and others just once or twice a year.
Classic Versus Common Migraines
Most migraine headaches come
on without auras and are called common migraines. Migraines that come with aura
have been called classic migraines. In classic migraines, the aura starts about
15 to 30 minutes before the headache begins. The aura can continue during the
headache or even occur after its onset. During an aura, you might:
1) See flashes of light that
sparkle, perceive zigzag lines within your field of vision, or see a blind spot
that widens.
2) You may feel a sensation of pins and needles in one arm or leg, or
perhaps feel some tingling.
3) Less often, you may experience a sensation of
weakness, or difficulties with language or speech.
|
We are unable to provide answers to medically related questions or other medical advice via e-mail. Our physicians look forward to addressing your medical needs in person. To schedule an appointment or for more information about this practice as well as the programs and treatments they offer, please complete the form below. Be sure to include a valid telephone number and e-mail address so that one of our patient services coordinators may contact you directly.
|
 |
|
|
