Migraines

Migraines are headaches that can be so severe you can’t function for hours or days. The board-certified neurologists at Neurology Care’s offices in Waxahachie, Mesquite, and Mansfield, Texas, are experts in headaches and migraines. They use the latest, proven treatments to prevent migraines and reduce the severity of your symptoms. Call Neurology Care or book an appointment online today to learn more about advanced migraine treatment. 

What is a migraine?

Migraines are severe, recurring headaches. You may experience them infrequently, going for years without one, or have them repeatedly, even multiple times each month. Despite the severity of migraines, your brain suffers no damage during an attack.

Migraine symptoms vary, but common ones include:

• Throbbing pain on one side of the head
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Weakness and fatigue
• Sweating and trembling
• Visual distractions like wavy lines or flashing lights

Many people develop signs in the days before a migraine attack that they learn to recognize. These could include symptoms like visual disturbances or additional ones such as food cravings or constipation.

The additional symptoms that migraines cause differs from other types of severe recurring headaches, such as cluster headaches.

Neurology Care doctors perform a comprehensive evaluation and tests to determine the cause of your migraine symptoms and ensure nothing else is wrong.

What causes a migraine?

The cause of migraines is unclear. Research suggests a link with dysfunction of the trigeminovascular system, which consists of connections between your brain's blood vessels and nerve cells. There could also be a genetic link, as migraines tend to run in families.

Other factors that could contribute to migraine development include increased calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) levels in the brain and other brain chemical imbalances, hormonal fluctuations (particularly the menstrual cycle), and environmental influences.  

How are migraines treated?

An important method of managing migraines is prevention. Many people have triggers that increase the risk of migraines, such as red wine, chocolate, stress, or aged cheeses. Avoiding your triggers can reduce attacks significantly. Other potential treatments Neurology Care might recommend include:

• Triptans (drugs that constrict blood vessels)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Antidepressant medications
• Divalproex sodium and topiramate (antiepileptic drugs)
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)
• Trigeminal nerve stimulation
• Vagus nerve stimulation
• Botulinum toxin type A (Botox®) injections

Abortive medications help to stop a migraine before it starts, while acute migraine medications treat pain as soon as you get symptoms. Preemptive treatments are ones you take to reduce your risk of a migraine if you have unavoidable triggers like menstruation or exercise. You can also take preventive medications regularly to reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks.

Call Neurology Care today or book an appointment online to receive expert treatment for migraines.