Migraine Attacks and Treatments

Throbbing, severe, episodic headaches on one side of the head? Are you feeling nauseated and sensitive to light, too? If this describes your headache episodes, you most likely have a migraine. Migraine episodes can last for hours! At times, it was almost or above seventy hours!

This kind of condition makes executing even simple day-to-day activities impossible. It is important to understand what might be causing your migraine episodes. Also, one should avoid certain foods that cause migraines to be able to prevent very uncomfortable and unmanageable unilateral pain in the future. A condition like a migraine usually won’t allow you to wait in the ER. Treatment in an urgent care center is your best option if you want to avoid exorbitant medical fees and the lengthy waits associated with emergency department visits. Simply walk in and get seen by a healthcare provider quickly to get some relief from your migraine symptoms. No appointments are required at Southwest Urgent Care!

Urgent Care and Migraines

Despite being a non-life-threatening medical disease, migraines nonetheless require high-priority care. Our providers are trained emergency medicine physicians and are capable of helping you get quick relief from your pulsing migraine pain. They can also advise you on preventive programs to help you avoid future migraine attacks.

Difference between Migraines and Headaches

There are higher chances that the excoriating pain you are suffering from is more of a tension headache than a migraine. To be certain if you have a headache and not a migraine, the following headache symptoms might come in handy:

• Less severe pain.
• Pain on both sides of the head
• Feeling tight pressure rather than throbbing pain.
• Soreness in the temples
• Tightening of neck and shoulder muscles

Migraine symptoms

In the USA, about 29.5 million people suffer migraine attacks. That is, three out of every four migraine sufferers are female. Migraine symptoms include the following:

• Pain that worsens with physical activity
• Pain around your eyes or temples, in your face, jaw, or neck
• Extreme sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred Vision: Auras that affect your vision, causing you to see wavy lines, dots, or flashing lights

Underlying Causes of Migraines

There are several common triggers for migraines. Evaluating your trigger can help you avoid migraine attacks in the future. Some triggers include:

• Hormones: changes in hormone levels during menstruation or menopause
• Stress: making oneself overwhelmed; excessive physical exercise or exertion.
• Sensory stimuli: loud sounds, flashing lights, glaring sunlight, paint fumes, passive smoke, and/or perfumes.
• Sleep changes: changes in sleep schedule, too much or too little sleep
• Environmental: changes in the weather, specifically barometric pressure, and exposure to carbon monoxide
• Beverages: alcohol, wine, and caffeinated drinks
• HIV: Migraine is a symptom of HIV.
• Medications: oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerine.
• Diet: new or restrictive food habits
• Dehydration: not consuming enough water

Foods that cause migraines

Some foods have been linked to migraines. So, watch what you eat! You might be having migraine episodes due to some sort of food in your diet, typically food additives. Triggers may differ from person to person, as well as from one migraine attack to the next in the same person. It is important to keep an eye on your trigger foods, as they might save you from an upcoming episode of throbbing pain. Foods that can trigger migraines include the following:

• Aspartame or artificial sweetener
• MSG is a preservative called monosodium glutamate.
• Processed foods (meats such as bologna, ham, hot dogs, pepperoni, or sausage)
• Aged cheese
• Citrus fruits
• Salty and frozen foods
• Pickled and fermented foods such as kimchi and kombucha
• Cured meats
• Chocolate

Always keep a record of any activities or foods you consumed prior to your migraine attack. Some small lifestyle changes might save you from serious illness and help your doctor provide a swift treatment plan.

Foods That Can Prevent Migraines

Having a good diet is always a good idea and is advised by doctors and nutritionists all around the world! Similarly, when it comes to migraines, certain foods like antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins, and minerals might prove helpful. Some foods that may prevent or ease migraine symptoms if included in your diet are as follows: Salmon: Its omega-3 fatty acids, high vitamin B content, and riboflavin content help to control migraines. Fruits: Berries, cucumber, melon, tomatoes, grapefruit, cantaloupe, apricots, papaya, peaches, and cherries help you stay hydrated. Dark chocolate: The magnesium in cocoa promotes relaxation and sleep and works as a reviving ingredient instead of a trigger. Figs: The potassium in figs helps reduce inflammation. Shrimp: An antioxidant called astaxanthin in shrimp helps fight inflammation. Kale and collard greens: These leafy vegetables are “neutral” foods, high in magnesium and other anti-inflammatory nutrients. Carrots and sweet potatoes: Full of beta-carotene and other nutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. Nuts and seeds: High in magnesium, nuts have been known to cure migraines and lower their frequency. Eggs: Vitamin B in eggs is effective in reducing headache occurrence, strength, and interval. Whole grains: Provide a balanced carbohydrate and protein source that is gentle on the digestive tract. Common sources of whole grains like buckwheat, barley, bulgur, whole oats, and quinoa are digested slowly, allowing for the maintenance of consistent blood sugar levels. Migraine is a complex condition characterized by pain and other symptoms. If you have been suffering from migraines and speculating what should be done, try tweaking some eating habits to see visible differences. In the event of a migraine attack that’s already started and is beyond your management, don’t wait and pay a visit to a provider. Our physicians can help you find quick relief by treating your headache symptoms. Call us or pay a visit for a cost-effective, affordable, and precise treatment plan here at Southwest Urgent Care.

What if I need more attention, medication, or tests?

We offer a wide range of diagnostic services, such as digital X-rays, laboratory testing, and electrocardiography (EKG). If your pain is severe and excruciating and your symptoms are new or seem more serious and uncontrollable, our provider might refer you to a neurologist or pain management specialist. In some cases, medicine given through an IV is given for quick relief. If need be, IV fluid containing water and salts is given for hydration. Some pain medications to treat migraine symptoms include NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. Anti-nausea drugs are also prescribed if symptoms include nausea and vomiting. If your symptoms are worse than usual, you may need specialized care or further investigation. Unusual migraine symptoms might be pointing towards a possible life-threatening emergency, such as:

• A stroke
• Meningitis
• An aneurysm is a bulging blood vessel inside the brain that could burst and cause a type of stroke.

Call 911 or go to a medical care center specialized right away if the condition is worsening!