Headaches—I’m sure you’ve had one unexpectedly occur at one of the worst times possible. Overwhelmingly, 9 out of 10 adults will experience a headache at some point in their life, and you may be one of the 12% of Americans who experience migraines – women being three times more likely than men.
If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know the symptoms are debilitating – an excruciating, throbbing or pounding pain with sensitivity to light or sound causing nausea and severely disrupting your day-to-day activities. Chronic migraines occur 15+ days a month, lasting for about four hours or more. Surprisingly, about 80% of people suffering from chronic migraines have not been properly diagnosed. Because migraines can be so disruptive to your life, it’s important to be diagnosed so that you can pursue treatment for your pain.
In order to manage your migraine pain, you must first discover your triggers. This may include:
- Stress
- Over or under sleeping
- Caffeine withdrawal
- Extreme weather conditions
- Diet
- Overuse of over-the-counter medications that relieve pain
- Dehydration
Before meeting with your doctor, take some time to log the onset of your chronic migraines – noting the time of day, possible triggers, and the severity. By tracking your migraines, you may begin to see patterns, providing the insight you need to begin treatment. With the data you’ve gathered, you and your pain physician can then decide the best treatment plan that works for you and your lifestyle. Your treatment plan may include stress management, acupuncture, dietary changes, and biofeedback.
In some cases, more conservative options may not offer the substantial relief you need. In complement to other treatment measures, your physician may recommend minimally invasive procedures, such as Botox, to manage your pain. More commonly known to diminish wrinkles caused by aging, Botox has been proven effective in treating chronic migraines and headaches. Botox is injected into the neck and head, blocking the release of a neurotransmitter that stimulates the muscle contraction causing your pain. Generally speaking, injections are recommended every 12 weeks and may provide the significant relief that you need. Click here to learn more about treatment options available to treat migraine pain.
PMIR wants to make sure you never miss out on another family event, night out with your friends, or business meeting because of a debilitating headache. Your PMIR physician is highly trained to effectively manage your pain, using a variety of proven treatments and procedures. Call your local office today to schedule an appointment now and gain back the time you’re losing to migraine pain!
Pain Management & Injury Relief (PMIR) Medical Center has locations in Los Angeles and Ventura County.
Sources:
Bigal ME, et al. Chronic Migraine in the Population. Neurology. 2008;71:559-566.
Allergan.com, Boston.com, BotoxChronicMigraine.com, WebMD.com
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