Migraines

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a neurological issue that causes a severe, throbbing headache that is often accompanied by additional symptoms, such as:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, and scent
• Visual disturbances, such as auras, flashing lights, and blind spots
• Vertigo

Migraine symptoms range in severity. At their worst, they cause disability and interfere with your ability to work, attend school, or participate in your favorite activities.

What causes migraines?

Medical researchers have identified many potential causes of migraines, including:

• A central nervous system disorder
• Irregularities in your vascular system
• A genetic predisposition
• Abnormal brain chemicals or nerve pathways

Environmental factors, including certain foods, stress, bright or flashing lights, or a lack of sleep or food are common migraine triggers. Some women may experience migraines in relation to the hormonal fluctuations of their menstrual cycles.

How are migraines treated?

Depending on the severity and frequency of your migraines, Pacific Pain Physicians offers customized treatments for migraines, ranging from prevention and medication to nerve blocks and Botox® injections.

Prevention and medication

You may benefit from preventive measures, which may include a combination of dietary modification, lifestyle changes, vitamins, and daily prescription medications. Many preventive medicines have additional medical purposes — for example, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, or epilepsy medications. The pain management specialists also recommend taking medicine at the first signs of a headache or migraine, such as triptans, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-nausea, and in some cases, narcotics or steroids.

Botox® injections

If you suffer from chronic migraines, Botox® may be the solution. Botox disrupts the nerves that transmit pain signals to your brain. During this treatment, a Pacific Pain Physicians provider inserts the injectable into shallow muscles, not too deeply beneath the skin. Each treatment involves 31 injections in seven critical areas of the head and neck. Your provider repeats the procedure every three months, depending on your results. Your doctor diagnoses chronic migraines if you experience migraines on 15 or more days each month.

Sphenopalatine nerve block

A sphenopalatine ganglion block is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat head and facial pain, including migraines. Your doctor directs numbing medication toward a group of nerve cells that is linked to the trigeminal nerve, the main nerve involved in headache. A sphenopalatine ganglion block is a relatively quick procedure that provides pain relief within 15-30 minutes after the treatment.

You don’t have to let migraines disrupt your life. Call Pacific Pain Physicians, or make an appointment online today.