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What is migraine?
Migraine is a chronic condition that causes attacks of headaches. It also causes other symptoms such as feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) are also common between migraine attacks, the symptoms vanish completely.
Who gets migraine?
Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders. About 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 12 men develop migraine at some point in their lives. It is most common in the initial years of adulthood or during childhood. Some people have frequent migraine attacks lasting several days a week. Dr. Shabrez Tariq, MD, a migraine specialist in Houston, TX, says, “Some have attacks only now and then. Some attacks may go for years between them. In some people, the migraine attacks stop in later adult life. However, in some cases, the attacks continue (persist) throughout life.”
What are the types and symptoms of migraine?
There are two main types of migraine attack:
Common migraine: This is the most common type of migraine. Symptoms include the following:
- Usually the headache is on one side of the head, normally at the front or side occasionally it is on both sides of the head and frequently it starts on one side, radiating all over. The pain is moderate to severe and is generally described as throbbing or pulsating, which may make it worse. It often begins in the morning but may start at any time of the day or night. Occasionally, it gradually gets worse and peaks after 2 to 12 hours before slowly easing off, prompting many to seek help from a pain specialist in Houston.
- Other Migraine symptoms:
o Feeling sick (nausea)
o Being sick (vomiting)
o Not liking bright lights or loud noises, so that you may just want to lie in a dark room
- Some other Migraine symptoms:
o Being off food
o Blurred vision
o Poor concentration
o Stuffy nose
o Hunger
o Diarrhoea
o Tummy (abdominal) pain
o Passing lots of urine
o Going pale
o Sweating
o Scalp tenderness
o Sensations of heat or cold
Classic migraine: About 1 in 4 people with migraine have classic migraine. These symptoms are the same as those described above in common migraine, but they also include a warning sign (an aura) before the headache begins, which many patients seek advice about at a headache clinic in Houston.
Visual aura is the most common type of aura. Its includes a temporary loss of part of vision, flashes of light, objects may seem to rotate, shake, or boil. Numbness and pins and needles are the second most common type of aura. Numbness usually starts in the hand, travels up the arm, then involves the face, lips, and tongue. The leg is sometimes involved. Problems with speech are the third most common type of aura. Other types of aura include an odd smell, food cravings, a feeling of well-being, other odd sensations.
One of the above auras may develop, or other may occur one after each other. Each of the aura usually lasts just a few minutes before going but can last up to 60 minutes. The aura usually goes before the headache starts. The headache usually develops within 60 minutes of the end of the aura, but it may develop often straight afterward, which is a situation that many patients discuss with a headache doctor in Houston.
Diagnosing Migraines, Do I need any tests?
Usually diagnosed by the typical symptoms, there is no test to confirm migraine. A migraine doctor in Houston, like Dr Tariq, can usually be confident that you have migraine if you have typical symptoms and by an examination which does not reveal any abnormality.
Causes of migraine?
The causes for migraine are not clear. Earlier it was believed blood vessels in parts of the brain become narrower (go into spasm) which accounted for the aura. The blood vessels were then thought to open wide (dilate) soon afterwards, which accounted for the headache. It is now thought that some chemicals in the brain increase in activity and parts of the brain may then send out confusing signals which cause the symptoms.
Migraine treatment
Medication: Paracetamol or aspirin works well for many migraine attacks. Take a dose as early as possible after symptoms begin. If you take painkillers early enough, they often reduce the severity of the headache or stop it completely, which is advice often provided by a headache specialist in Houston, TX. A lot of people do not take a painkiller until a headache becomes really bad, which is often too late for the painkiller to work effectively.
Anti-inflammatory painkillers probably work better than paracetamol. They include ibuprofen and aspirin.
Injections: For treating chronic migraines and headaches, injections like the Occipital nerve block and Sphenopalatine ganglion block have proven to be effective. BOTOX® injections are the first and only FDA-approved preventive treatment proven to reduce migraine and headache days every month.
Migraine treatment and headache treatment options are available at DPMC, a leading headache institute in Houston, TX.
- BOTOX injection
- Occipital nerve block
- Sphenopalatine ganglion block
Treatment Options for Headaches and Migraines
At Houston Spine and Joint Pain Consultants, we understand how challenging headaches and migraines can be, disrupting your daily life and overall well-being. Our specialized team offers a range of cutting-edge treatments tailored to your unique needs, helping you achieve lasting relief. If you’re searching for a trusted migraine doctor in Houston or a reliable headache doctor in Houston, our clinic is here to provide expert care.
Comprehensive Diagnosis
Before starting treatment, it’s crucial to determine the underlying cause of your headaches or migraines. At our Houston Headache Institute, we use advanced diagnostic tools and personalized evaluations to identify triggers and patterns. Whether your symptoms are related to stress, hormonal changes, or other factors, our specialists will create a targeted treatment plan to address your condition effectively.
Medication-Based Treatment
For many patients, medication forms the foundation of treatment. Our migraine specialists in Houston, TX, often prescribe medications to manage pain and reduce the frequency of migraines.
- Acute Pain Relievers: These include over-the-counter options like ibuprofen or prescription medications that target headaches early on.
- Preventive Medications: For patients with chronic migraines, we may recommend preventive drugs to minimize the frequency and severity of attacks.
If traditional medications aren’t effective, we explore advanced options like injectable treatments.
Injectable Treatments
The Houston Headache Institute in Houston, TX, offers innovative injectable treatments to provide quick and effective relief:
- BOTOX® Injections: FDA-approved BOTOX® injections are ideal for preventing chronic migraines. This treatment is particularly effective for patients experiencing headaches more than 15 days a month.
- Occipital Nerve Block: This involves injecting a local anesthetic into the back of the head to block pain signals from the occipital nerve.
- Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block: For severe migraines, this minimally invasive injection provides targeted relief.
These treatments are expertly administered by our experienced headache specialists in Houston, TX, ensuring precision and maximum effectiveness.
Physical Therapy and Lifestyle Adjustments
Beyond medications, our specialists at Houston Spine and Joint Pain Consultants emphasize the importance of lifestyle modifications and physical therapy in managing headaches and migraines. These include:
- Stress Management: Incorporating techniques like meditation, yoga, and relaxation exercises to reduce triggers.
- Dietary Adjustments: Identifying and avoiding food triggers like caffeine or processed foods.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity helps improve blood flow and reduce tension, decreasing headache frequency.
Our migraine doctors in Houston provide personalized guidance to help you adopt these changes for long-term relief.
Advanced Therapies
At our Houston headache clinic, we use advanced technology to deliver targeted therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help address emotional triggers and improve pain management techniques.
- Biofeedback Therapy: This technique uses real-time monitoring of physiological functions like heart rate to teach patients how to control stress responses.
- Neuromodulation Devices: These non-invasive devices use electrical or magnetic pulses to modulate nerve activity and reduce headache pain.
Why Choose Houston Spine and Joint Pain Consultants?
Our migraine specialists in Houston, TX, take a holistic approach to treatment, combining medical expertise with compassionate care. Whether you’re dealing with occasional headaches or chronic migraines, we aim to provide relief and restore your quality of life. At the Houston Headache Institute, you’ll receive personalized attention and cutting-edge solutions tailored to your needs.
Long-Term Management
We believe in empowering patients to manage their conditions proactively. Our team at the Houston Headache Institute in Houston, TX, provides ongoing support, ensuring your treatment plan evolves as your needs change. From regular follow-ups to incorporating the latest advancements, we’re committed to helping you achieve long-term relief.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’re searching for a headache doctor in Houston or a trusted Houston headache clinic, look no further than Houston Spine and Joint Pain Consultants. With our expert care and innovative treatments, you don’t have to let headaches or migraines control your life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey toward a pain-free future.