Experiencing headaches once in a while due to stress or mild head trauma is normal, but when the frequency changes or you notice additional symptoms like nausea, you may have migraines. While most migraines respond to home-care remedies, it may be safer to inform your doctor to rule out underlying medical disorders. If you want to determine the cause of your headaches, a migraine specialist Alexandria at Integrated Neurology Services PLLC can help.

What you need to know about migraines

A migraine is a severe headache leading to a pulsing sensation or throbbing pain, often occurring on one side of your head. It may also be accompanied by extreme sensitivity to sound or light, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine attacks can persist for days, and the symptoms can be severe, disrupting your daily routine. At first, you may mistake it for a mild headache, but over time the symptoms may deteriorate, prompting immediate medical care. The Integrated Neurology Services, PLLC, offers medications and recommendations for lifestyle changes and home-care remedies to ease your pain.

Signs that you need immediate medical intervention

Migraines can affect anyone regardless of age and often occur in four stages: prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. The symptoms of the prodrome stage include fluid retention, frequent yawning, constipation, food cravings, and increased urination. The next stage is the aura, which may manifest before or during the headaches in some cases. Auras often affect the nervous system causing trouble speaking, visual phenomena like bright spots, and vision loss.

A migraine persists for three days if left untreated, and their frequency varies from one person to the other, but they rarely occur multiple times a month. The attack stage results in symptoms like nausea, vomiting, throbbing pain, and increased sensitivity to sounds and light. Following a migraine attack, you may feel washed out, confused, and drained for a day. Unanticipated head movements may trigger the pain briefly.

If you suspect migraines, monitor your attacks and the remedies that work for you, then discuss them with your doctor. If you have a family history of headaches or their frequency shifts, inform your doctor for a comprehensive neurological and physical exam.

Beliefs discouraging people from seeking medical care

Despite knowing the debilitating and disabling effects of migraines, several common beliefs may discourage you from seeking medical help. One popular belief is that migraines are not an alarmin medical disorder. Indeed, most migraines rarely cause irreversible effects, but they can be debilitating, preventing you from enjoying your life. Additionally, certain migraines, like hemiplegic migraine, can cause life-threatening symptoms like stroke. Only a medical expert can ascertain that your migraine does not threaten your general health.

Some people believe that caffeine leads to migraines. Excessive caffeine can trigger headaches in some people, but generally, caffeine relieves headaches and migraines. Migraines and caffeine have a complex relationship. To add to the complexity, a medical expert may tell you that certain caffeinated beverages can trigger headaches, but withdrawal increases their frequency.

Talking to your doctor about your migraines is the safest and surest way to treat migraines. Call the Integrated Neurology Services PLLC or schedule an appointment online for individualized care.