Migraine

What is a migraine?

A migraine is not just a bad headache. A migraine is an incapacitating neurological disease that affects 39 million men, women and children in the United States each year. Migraines typically feature a severe, throbbing pain, either on one or both sides of the head. Other disabling symptoms often accompany migraines, such as:

• Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
• Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or smell
• Tingling or numbness in the extremities or face
• A visual “aura” (flashing or bright lights)

Migraines usually last between four and 72 hours. Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men. Ten percent of children also experience migraines.

How do you treat a migraine?

While there is no cure for migraines, your doctor at Evia Medical Center will work with you to alleviate your symptoms. The are several prescription and over-the-counter migraine medications that can help, although medications may have side effects that are hard to distinguish (i.e., Is the nausea from the medication or the migraine?). It may take time to determine which medications work best for you.

In addition to medication, Evia Medical Center’s team will work with you to help determine your migraine triggers. Common migraine triggers include:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Hormonal changes in women
• Bright or flashing lights
• Loud noises
• Strong smells
• Lack of sleep
• Sudden changes in weather or environment
• Tobacco
• Caffeine
• Skipped meals
• Certain foods and food additives such as MSG or yeast

Depending on your triggers, changes in diet, medication, or your daily routine may help reduce the number of migraines you get. In addition, certain natural nutritional supplements have proven to be successful in migraine treatment.

Evia Medical Center also uses acupuncture to treat migraines.

Can acupuncture treat migraines?

Many patients at Evia Medical Center have found symptom relief improves with the addition of acupuncture to their migraine treatment. Studies have shown that acupuncture reduces the frequency of headaches in individuals with migraines, and this effect can persist for more than six months. The American Migraine Foundation states that at least six acupuncture sessions can be a valuable treatment option.

The doctors and acupuncturists at Evia Medical Center in Smithtown, New York, work as an integrative team to help treat your migraines. Call today and let these experts help you find relief from your migraines once and for all.