Migraines are incredibly painful headaches that are often accompanied by issues such as nausea, sensitivity to sound and light, and vomiting. The pain associated with these occurrences may last for several days at a time. Migraines can occur multiple times in a single month.
Stages of a Migraine
Migraines can involve three stages: prodrome, headache, and postdrome. A migraine does not always include all of these stages.
In the prodrome stage, which occurs a day or two before the migraine, Burnaby and Vancouver patients notice some of the following symptoms: neck stiffness, hyperactivity, uncontrollable yawning, depression, constipation, irritability, and food cravings.
Occasionally, patients may also have the sensation of a temporary aura, a nervous system disturbance that affects vision, speech, or movement. Speech or language issues, a pins-and-needles sensation, seeing flashes of light, and vision loss are among the potential symptoms. These symptoms can last for 20 minutes to an hour.
In the headache stage, patients experience the migraine itself. Symptoms include throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, lightheadedness, blurred vision, vomiting, fainting, and sensitivity to sound, light, and smells. The migraine can affect the patient for anywhere from four hours up to seventy-two hours.
In the postdrome stage, which happens after the headache, patients often report that they feel drained of energy.
Why Do I Have Migraine Headaches?
Research is still being conducted regarding the causes of migraine headaches. Various environmental factors may be partially responsible. Many cite brain chemical imbalances such as irregular serotonin levels as a potential factor, and one’s genes may also be a cause.
Migraines are often triggered by things like changes in hormones, medication use, physical and emotional stress, eating foods that are processed, salty, or contain various additives; sensory stimuli, drinking alcohol or caffeinated drinks; skipping meals, environmental changes, and sleep schedule changes.
Burnaby and Vancouver patients are more likely to have migraines if they have had one by age 40 or if they have a family history of migraines. Little boys are more headache-prone than little girls; however, after puberty, women become more headache-prone than men.
Treatment
BOTOX® is an effective FDA-approved treatment for migraine headaches. This injectable treatment is used specfically for the prevention of migraines. Every 12 weeks, several precise injections are administered in the head and neck region. Fine needles are used, and discomfort is minimal. These result in suppression of migraines.
To finally experience relief from chronic migraines, contact our office in the Burnaby and Vancouver area and schedule an appointment with Dr. Perhez Jaffer at (604) 298-4481.
