+About Migraines 2017-11-30T05:35:47-04:00

What is a Migraine?

A migraine is a severe, often very painful headache that can be preceded or accompanied by sensory changes such as flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, vomiting, phonophobia and photophobia. The excruciating pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days. A chronic migraine is a headache that can have tension-type or migraine characteristics and can occur greater than 15 days per month for at least 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

[faqs style=”toggle”]
When might migraine surgery be necessary? 2016-06-19T14:20:07-04:00

If a patient has not responded to traditional medical or infusion treatment, migraine surgery may be necessary. Ask your neurologist about the treatment, they will be able to best advise you of its necessity.
Who is our patient-focused treatment for? 2015-07-23T06:00:19-04:00

Our patient-focused treatment is our standard treatment and is usually attempted first with a good rate of success. This treatment works to prevent migraines by identifying risk factors in the sufferer’s life that may be the source of their migraines, and supplements this with medication when appropriate.
How effective is migraine treatment? 2015-07-23T05:14:59-04:00

Effectiveness varies from patient to patient depending on their responsiveness to medication, lifestyle and other factors. Seeking treatment is very important for sufferers. Repeated migraines alter an afflicted individual’s brain chemistry, and leave the sufferer even more vulnerable to future attacks. Treatment not only helps reset this process, but also dulls or eliminates the patient’s pain. If a sufferer goes untreated, migraines can escalate significantly: even becoming daily occurrences.
Is there a cure for migraine headaches? 2015-07-23T05:18:19-04:00

There is no definitive cure for migraines because they are still not fully understood. Modern migraine treatment either works with a patient to prevent attacks or helps the patient manage the pain. Migraines have a variety of causes and every patient responds to treatments differently. To see the kinds of treatment we offer at the American Migraine Center, visit our treatment options page. Our physicians will work with you to decide what course of treatment is most appropriate.
Who is at risk for migraines headaches? 2015-07-23T05:14:46-04:00

There are several risk factors that increase an individuals chance of getting a migraine.
Vulnerability to migraines can be genetic: 70 to 80 percent of migraine sufferers have a close family member who also has migraines. Further, children have a 50 percent chance of getting migraines if one of their parents do, and a 75 percent chance if both of their parents parents do.
Women are also at a greater risk. They are three times more likely to receive migraines than men, especially during periods of increased estrogen production. After menopause, a woman is significantly less likely to receive a migraine resulting from hormone production.
A variety of other risk factors exist, including but are not limited to: taking too much medication, an issue with one’s environment, irregular sleep habits, stress, changing weather and poor diet.

 

Is my headache really a migraine? 2015-07-23T05:14:54-04:00

According to the International Headache Society, regular headaches are considered migraines when they bring high levels of pain, occur repeatedly, and attack anywhere beyond 4 hours.
 

 

At the American Migraine Center, we strive to be the highest quality provider of modern migraine care. Whether we're providing education to healthcare professionals investigating advances in headache management, or researching migraine causes and alternative approaches to treatment, we hope to bring sufferers one step closer to a migraine-free tomorrow.

 

Book an Appointment