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If you suffer from migraines, head pain and other symptoms can range from unpleasant to debilitating. Working with a specialist can alleviate your discomfort, improving the quality of your daily life. Here's what you should know about how migraines start and what you can do about it.

Causes

DoctorsMigraines are caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors. They’re more common in women and are most frequent for people in their 30s. Individual attacks aren't always predictable, but there are several potential triggers, including stress, hormonal changes, alcohol, caffeine, disrupted sleep patterns, physical activity, and some medications. Triggers vary from one individual to another.

Prevention

To take preventative measures, you’ll need to identify what triggers your migraines. This can be difficult since migraines aren't always immediate. Instead, they're preceded by the prodrome stage, which can last up to several days. You might be able to tell a migraine is coming on if you experience mood changes, food cravings, increased thirst, neck stiffness, or frequent yawning.

Take note of any potential triggers leading to your symptoms. You may need to keep a journal to identify common factors between attacks so you can avoid them. Your doctor can also discuss preventative options with you, including blood pressure treatment, antidepressants, seizure medications, Botox® injections, and newer antibody-based treatments.

Treatment

If you have a migraine, over-the-counter pain relievers may relieve mild pain. However, overuse of these medications can cause further headaches. If you need them often or in large doses, you should ask your doctor about prescription options such as triptans, dihydroergotamines, Lasmiditan, or opioids. You may also need to have an MRI or CT scan first to rule out other causes of pain. If your migraines are accompanied by nausea, you can take anti-nausea medication in addition to pain relievers.

 

If you need to talk to a doctor about your migraines, visit The Headache Clinic at Island Hospital.  Island Hospital, located in Anacortes, WA, has been Serving Skagit County since 1962. IH facilities are staffed by over 190 skilled providers and include an emergency department, birth center, cancer care center, and diagnostic imaging. Call (360) 299-1300 for an appointment, or visit their website to learn more.

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