What is a migraine headache?
A migraine headache is a severe pain that can engulf your whole head, or switch from side to side. Much more severe in symptoms from a common tension headache, migraines can be completely debilitating and require sufferers to find a dark, quiet place to ride out the episode.
People who get migraines often start experiencing them between childhood and early adulthood.
For some sufferers, there are four clear stages of migraines.
- Prodrome: Subtle changes that occur one to two days before a migraine
- Aura: Visual disturbances occurring before and during a migraine
- Attack: Actual migraine headache lasting from four hours to three days when untreated
- Post-drome: After affects of a migraine include confusion, moodiness, weakness, etc.
What causes migraines?
The causes for migraines and why some people get them and others don’t is not known, but doctors have identified triggers known to bring on migraines for some people, including:
- Stress
- Allergies
- Hormonal changes
- Foods and food additives
- Drinks: Wine and highly caffeinated beverages
- Bright light: Too much sun
- Lack of sleep
- Medications
How do you know if I have a migraine or just a bad headache?
There are many symptoms of migraines and most sufferers will experience a few of them, if not all, including:
- Pain on one or both sides of your head that increases with activity
- Throbbing, pulsing pain
- Sensitivity to light and sound, and for some, touch and smell
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Dizziness
Extreme signs of migraines may include:
- Confusion: Can’t understand what people say or where they are
- Vision problems: White spots, flashes of light and lines going through their vision.
How can I prevent a migraine?
If you are susceptible to migraines you may lower your number of occurrences by:
- Staying well hydrated
- Exercise
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing your stress levels
- Learn to cope (LTC): Gradual exposure to triggers to desensitize you
- Reducing medications containing estrogen: For women
What chiropractic treatments are there for migraines?
The primary chiropractic treatment for migraines addresses the reduction of stress. A spinal adjustment can relieve a subluxation causing tension and stress due to a misalignment of the vertebrae.
Dr. Barry can also help you make lifestyle changes through diet and exercise as well as vitamins, posture, relaxation techniques, and ergonomics. By making changes to lower physical stress you can reduce the possibility of recurring migraines.
