Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from migraines. They can last anywhere from four hours to three or more days and can constitute a severe obstacle to a normal working or social life. Fortunately, certain preventive care measures can be taken to lessen their frequency or intensity. If you or a loved one experience this kind of pain regularly, consult with a doctor. The guide below also offers general advice for management of these intense, chronic headaches.

Causes

While the actual cause of migraines is not yet known, both genetics and environmental factors play a role. For example, some people experience symptoms when triggered by a certain kind of lighting or have problems around the same time each day or week. Therefore, doctors sometimes recommend drafting a migraine journal of every attack you have, so that a common denominator can be found.

Treatments

Treatments, much like the migraines themselves, vary from patient to patient. First and foremost, preventive care should be taken to avoid triggers. You should also make sure to drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, eat right, and practice stress-reducing activities as these are known to help prevent migraines or at least reduce the frequency of them.

When these preventive care measures do not work, medications are usually the second line of defense. Over-the-counter pain killers may help to alleviate immediate pain such as ibuprofen or aspirin. For some people, other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may need to be treated as well. Surgery is also an option for those with severe chronic migraines but should be a last resort.

For many people, chronic pain, such as migraines, has become a way of life. But it doesn’t have to be anymore. If you suffer from repeated headaches, talk to the expert staff at Santiam Hospital. For over 60 years, they’ve strived to help residents of the Mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon feel their best with emergency and preventive care. They’ve kept up with the latest techniques and developments in technology to achieve just that. Call today at (503) 769-2175 to schedule an appointment or visit their website for more on their services.