Migraine Headache: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

v Everyone suffers from headaches now and then–some people more than others. Migraine headaches are no ordinary headache, however. When these attack, the pain and debilitating symptoms can be so severe that the victim can only retreat to a quiet, dark place until it subsides. Migraine headaches are probably the most common type for which people need medical assistance.

If you are one of the many sufferers of migraine headache, you may have many questions about this condition. Here are several questions and answers that others have asked concerning this incapacitating condition.

What is a Migraine Headache?

A migraine headache is a painful, throbbing headache that lasts from four to 72 hours. Migraines may be so painful that you are not able to do your usual activities. Though migraines make you feel bad, they don’t cause long-term damage and you can get medical treatments that may help lessen or prevent them.

What Causes Migraines?

Experts are not sure what causes migraines or why some people get them and others do not. Migraine headaches are hereditary and there are certain things that can bring them on, called triggers. Each patient may have different triggers which include:

• Stress
• Not eating
• Poor sleep habits
• A change from your normal routine
• Red wine
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• Strong odors
• Chocolate

What are the Symptoms?

Different people have different symptoms but the main symptom that seems to be the most common among people is a throbbing headache on one side of the head. Some patients may feel sick to the stomach and vomit. Activity, light, noise, or odors may make the migraine worse. The pain may move from one side of the head to the other, or it may be felt on both sides at the same time.

Some people experience aura with their migraines. When you have an aura, you may first see spots, wavy lines, or flashing lights. Sometimes the hands, arms, or face may tingle or feel numb. The aura usually starts about 30 minutes before the headache.

Of course, there are those people who have aura and then have no real pain but only a dull ache in the head. When there is lack of pain with migraine, it is called a silent migraine. This is the one I would like if I had to live with this condition.

How are migraines diagnosed?

In order to diagnose a migraine, your doctor will begin by asking about your symptoms and examining you. You probably will not need lab tests, but your doctor may order some if he or she thinks your symptoms are caused by another disease.

How are They Treated?

Most doctors start treatment by prescribing over-the-counter medicines unless your symptoms are very severe. If these medicines don’t work, your doctor can prescribe stronger medicine to stop the migraine. Your doctor also may prescribe medicine to prevent migraines. Depending on your health and physical condition, you may not be able to take some medicines. If none of the medications work, ask your doctor for other types of treatments. There are several alternative treatments that patients claim work, like acupuncture or massage therapy.

There are also tips to follow when you do feel a migraine starting.

• Stop what you are doing, and take your medicine. Don’t wait for the migraine to get worse. Take your medicine exactly as your doctor told you to.
• Rest in a quiet, dark room. Close your eyes, and try to relax or go to sleep. Don’t watch TV or read. Put a cold pack or cool cloth on the painful area.

Also, be careful how often you take your migraine medicines. Patients who over-use their migraine medicine run the risk of re-bound headaches. If you are taking headache medicine more than 2 days a week, or if you get more than 3 headaches a month, talk to your doctor.

How can I Prevent Migraines?

A good way to help prevent migraine headache is to know what things cause your particular migraine. Triggers, discussed earlier, are different for each person so knowing your triggers will help prevent this condition. Triggers add up. Try to avoid as many triggers as possible. You may not avoid them all, but by avoiding the majority, you lessen your chances of migraine.

Many people keep a headache diary where they list the foods they eat and activities they do. They may also add places they go to, what the weather is like, and other details of the day. Patients will keep a daily diary for about three or four weeks. During this time, they note when they have a migraine and its intensity, duration, and symptoms. All this data will help them see a pattern, exposing the triggers for their headaches. Once they know their triggers, they can lessen their chances of migraine.

Having a daily routine is another great way to avoid migraines. For example, try to eat at the same times every day, and go to sleep at a regular time. Changes from your routine, such as skipping meals or staying up really late, could lead to a migraine.

Migraine headaches are common conditions that doctors are still researching for better treatments. Preventing migraines is the best way to treat them. Knowing your triggers is the best way to prevent migraine headache.

Tags: chronic condition, difficulty sleeping, head pain, living with migraines, migraine attack, Migraines, severe pain, tender spots