Migraine attacks are a real source of nuisance. They involve extreme, throbbing pain that may come with vomiting, nausea, light sensitivity, and loss of appetite. Data from the Migraine Research Foundation shows that almost 1 out of 4 US households has someone with migraine. You must consult a migraine doctor near me to get specialized care for migraine and its related symptoms.
Recognizing Migraine From a Simple Headache
It’s important to be familiar with your personal headache symptoms, what’s normal, and what’s already an emergency. Look out for the following symptoms that require that you need immediate medical attention.
A new, sudden, severe headache accompanied with:
- Falling, sudden loss of balance, dizziness, weakness, numbness, or tingling
- Speech difficulty, confusion, seizures, inappropriate behavior, or sudden change in personality
- Impaired vision (blurred, double vision) or blind spots
- Pain that disturbs your sleep
- Sudden or severe vomiting or nausea
- Unequal pupil size
- The eyelid is drooping on one side
- Difficulty in standing up even if holding to an immobile object
- Difficulty talking or comprehending others who are speaking
You may already be used to dealing with migraines on your own. Check if the episodes worsened or became more frequent. Consider looking for a migraine doctor near me if you notice odd patterns such as:
- Headache that occurred after an accident or head trauma
- A different type of headache that began for the first time beyond the age of 50
- Headaches triggered by bending, coughing, sexual activity, or other strenuous physical activity.
- Your pain significantly impacts your quality of life
- There is a noticeable change in the symptoms or pattern of migraine attacks
- You experience three or more headaches each week
- You require pain relievers daily or almost daily to manage your headache
- You require at least two to three doses of pain relievers each week
How Can a Migraine Doctor Help With Your Pain?
Migraine is considered a neurological disorder. Neurologists focusing on nervous system disorders are the best health professionals to consult on your condition. They will rule out potential neurological conditions that produce similar symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis.
Neurologists are also updated on innovative treatments for migraine attacks. They will develop a suitable treatment plan. They will also fine-tune the dosages of medications that are beneficial for you.
They’re usually on the lookout for new discoveries in their field. They will update you on current information, such as treatment options. This depends on factors such as your age, frequency of migraine attacks, severity, symptoms, and medical history. Your treatment plan may include:
- Medications
- Lifestyle medications such as avoiding migraine triggers or managing stress
- Hormones, especially if the attacks are associated to the menstrual cycle in women
- Alternative medicine
What to Expect for Your First Consult With a Migraine Doctor Near Me
Your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam and neurological tests. The tests will depend on your symptoms. These may include:
- CT scan: to detect any bleeding, structural problems, spinal problems, or tumors that might cause the migraine.
- MRI: performed in case of a recent head injury that might cause the migraine. This can also be an alternative to CT scan to identify structural problems or tumors
- EEG: to measure brainwaves and confirm epilepsy or other brain disorders.
- Eye exam: to detect signs of concussion or other neurological damage
- Spinal tap: to confirm if the patient has an infection, tumor, or disorder like Guillan-Barre syndrome
- Lab tests: blood tests or urinalysis will help rule out diseases like diabetes or thyroid disease
Preparing for Your First Appointment
According to experts, a key tool in diagnosis is an accurate headache history. Providing a complete history can help identify triggers and possible solutions. Before going to your first appointment, make sure that you’ve thought about the following:
- When did the migraine occur? What makes it go away?
- Does light, sound, or noise bother you during these headaches?
- Are there any changes in your eyesight prior to or during these headaches?
- How well did you sleep the night before the migraine attack?
- If you’re a woman, when did the migraine occur with respect to your menstrual cycle?
- What are the activities you were doing before the migraine attacks began?
- What was your previous diagnosis, and what are the treatments you tried?
The Pain Treatment Institute Has the Best Migraine Doctor Near Me
For many people, migraine is a chronic illness that greatly affects their quality of life. Some try to manage this on their own, which results in medication overuse. This is the main reason why an episodic migraine becomes chronic. It’s strongly recommended to leave your care in the hands of a health professional.
The Pain Treatment Institute has a team of doctors specializing in pain that can help with your suffering. We will assess, diagnose, and provide the best treatment options suited to your case. Book an appointment with us today.
