Migraine & Headache Treatment Specialist Q&A

Headache disorder is a broad term covering various nervous system conditions resulting in symptoms of head pain. Migraines are included within headache disorders but while a common headache is not unusual and is experienced by most people at some point in their lives, migraines are a chronic condition.

Headaches typically display symptoms of pain in the head, upper neck, or face, at various levels of intensity and frequency. Migraines typically display pain in similar areas, but they are extremely painful and produce symptoms at a more intense and debilitating rate.

Headaches are one symptom of migraines but there are others. Individuals who suffer migraines can experience attacks or episodes eliciting recurring syndromes. The throbbing and intense pain from migraines can last several hours or even a few days.

Typically, migraines affect one side of the head but may affect both. Migraines often arrive in four phases though it is possible to incur a migraine without experiencing each one. The premonitory phase includes non-painful symptoms before the headache arrives, sometimes it includes neck stiffness, food cravings, mood changes, sensitivity to light, constipation, diarrhea, and more.

The aura phase follows inciting sensory disturbances prior to or during a migraine, this phase can impact touch, vision, or speech and can impact the ability to think clearly, some conditions include blurred vision, flashing lights, and blind spots. When the headache phase arrives, it can vary in severity. Individuals suffering from extreme headaches might require emergency treatment.

After experiencing the headache an individual who suffered a migraine enters the postdrome phase which typically leaves them feeling unwell, confused, and exhausted. Enduring the steps of a migraine can be extremely painful and, in some cases, results in patients requiring urgent care.

Individuals who are prone to migraines may take medication for both preventative measures and treatment. Dr. Naseh Nawabi and his team of medical professionals at Walking Urgent Care can help treat migraines and develop preventive measures.

In addition to medical treatment, there are several lifestyle choices made to promote overall health that can mitigate the risk of migraines. When an individual feels a migraine approaching, finding a quiet area and turning off the lights may help to reduce sensory overload. Bright lights and loud noises may trigger a migraine.

A good night’s sleep helps most things and migraines are no exception as they may be triggered by poor sleep patterns. Ensuring a healthy diet and consistent meals is another great way to mitigate the risk of migraines, as missed meals can contribute to migraines.

Regular exercise and maintaining a generally high level of health will reduce an individual’s risk of experiencing a migraine. Managing one’s stress is also of the utmost importance as it can be a common trigger of migraines and headaches.

While over-the-counter medications and pain relievers can provide some immediate relief for headaches it is always a good idea to have a headache checked out by a medical provider especially if it is chronic or recurring.

A physician will conduct neurological and physical exams and work with the patient’s first-hand accounts to rule out more serious conditions, complications, or a tendency toward chronic headaches or migraines while developing the best course of action for treatment. For patients in Coral Springs, Walking Urgent Clinic offers a great alternative to an expensive and busy trip to the emergency room.

A staff of healthcare professionals is available to work with patients and devise the best preventative measures and treatments to stop and treat headaches or migraines. We are here to help keep you healthy and check and to help treat your migraines and headaches. We serve patients from Coral Springs FL, Margate FL, Parkland FL, North Lauderdale FL, Tamarac FL, and Coconut Creek FL.