Migraines

What are migraines?

Migraines are headaches caused by a neurological disorder. They feature recurring episodes of intense, throbbing pain, often affecting one side of the head. Other symptoms that typically accompany migraines include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Light and sound sensitivity
• Visual disturbances

Visual disturbances include seeing flashing lights, dots, and wavy lines. Some people suffer from temporary sight problems during a migraine.

Migraines can last for hours and sometimes days, significantly disrupting daily activities. There’s currently no cure, but carefully designed management strategies significantly reduce migraine attack frequency, duration, and intensity, allowing you to enjoy a better quality of life.

What triggers migraines?

Common migraine triggers include:

Foods

Certain foods or drinks often trigger migraines. Common ones are aged cheeses, chocolate, caffeine, cured meats, and alcohol.

Hormones

Hormonal changes are recognized migraine triggers, particularly those affecting women, like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

Environment

Environmental factors triggering migraines include bright lights, loud sounds, and pungent smells.

Emotions

Stress, anxiety, and other strong emotions can trigger migraines.

Sleep disturbances

Disrupted sleep patterns, poor quality sleep, and lack of sleep can increase your migraine risk.

Weather changes (which cause barometric pressure fluctuations) can also trigger migraines.

Learning to recognize your migraine triggers and avoid them where possible is an essential first step in managing your disorder.

What help can I get for migraines?

Fusion Primary Care and Wellness provides comprehensive services to help you manage migraines effectively and find relief. These include:

Diagnosis and assessment

Your provider performs a thorough evaluation to diagnose migraines and determine their frequency, intensity, and triggers. The assessment includes giving a detailed medical history, a physical exam, symptom discussion, and lab tests.

Medication management

Personalized medication management plans help reduce migraine frequency and severity. Fusion Primary Care and Wellness uses prescription medications such as triptans and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists, among others.

Lifestyle modifications

Your provider offers guidance on lifestyle changes that help manage migraines, such as identifying and avoiding triggers, establishing regular sleep patterns, using stress management techniques, and making dietary changes.

Nonpharmacological approaches

Nonpharmacological approaches that complement medication management include relaxation techniques, acupuncture, and biofeedback.

Your provider can refer you to a neurologist or headache specialist if your case is complex.

Call Fusion Primary Care and Wellness to arrange a migraine evaluation or request a consultation online today.