Migraine – Diagnosis, Types and Treatment

Headaches like migraines are painful. They usually start with a pounding pain in the head followed by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. People try to manage early signs of migraine by using topical medicines like balms or creams and light painkillers. Migraine can be triggered due to tension, sinus or lack of caffeine in the body if the person is used to drinking tea or coffee at specific times of the day.

Women suffer from migraines more than men, which could be triggered by hormonal changes in their body. Components like tyramine, found in certain foods and drinks can result in lack of sleep, making you feel irritable and tired and may ultimately lead to migraine. Though over the counter medicines are usually taken for managing migraines, it is advisable to visit a walk in clinic for proper diagnosis of your problem so you can find a permanent solution.

Different types of headaches

Tension headache

These headaches usually occur every 10-15 days each month and are identified by moderate and constant bands of pain. Pain begins gradually and progresses through the day. It moves around the head from front to top. If the pain is bearable, it usually disappears after some time but with added tension it can persist throughout the day. Chronic tension headaches can make it difficult for the sufferer to fall asleep or concentrate on anything during this period. Side effects of tension headaches are irritability, fatigue and sensitivity to light and noise so visiting a urgent care clinic is advisable to detect the reason of pain.

Migraine

Migraine headaches can cause different pain levels starting from mild discomfort to pounding and throbbing sensation around the temples. If these symptoms are ignored then they can worsen and cause blurred vision, dizziness and nausea followed by loss of appetite and paleness. Those suffering from such migraines are likely to see flashes of light, jagged lines and blind spots as the headache persists.

Diagnosing headache type through questionnaire and tests

If you or your loved one has been getting frequent headaches that are not going away with over the counter pain relievers and topical medicines then you should visit a family doctor at the earliest. Your doctor will ask several questions related to the condition to understand the severity of the migraine. Your family doctor will ask you details about details about your current medication to know if any one of them could be triggering a migraine attack. Your family doctor will conduct both physical and neurological tests to study your condition in-depth.

Treatment and care

Migraines are treated with either abortive or preventive medication depending on the response to the treatment. Abortive medication can be taken as skin patches, nasal sprays or injection that can be administered in a same-day clinic, which is recommended for people who have nausea and vomiting during headaches. Preventive medication is advised for reducing frequency of attacks and can be taken on a daily basis.

Visit Phoenix Family Medical Clinic to know the reason for your migraine and to get it treated .

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