Everyone gets headaches once in a while. Migraines are a more debilitating type of headache that is characterized by intense, throbbing pain. Migraines are the third most common disease in the world. However, if you experience migraines over 15 times a month, you may be suffering from chronic migraines.
Chronic migraines shouldn’t be taken lightly because they can greatly affect your wellbeing and quality of life. The Painless Center provides migraine treatment to people living in either Fort Lee or Carlstadt, New Jersey to help them live a healthier, happier life.
If you get migraines, you know they are incredibly different than headaches. Although everyone experiences different symptoms, here are some of the most common:
Migraines are usually brought on by triggers. Similar to the symptoms, migraine triggers differ from person-to-person. Many people get migraines as a result of a change in their sleep patterns or a lack of quality sleep.
Alcohol is one of the most common migraine triggers. Almost 78% of participants in a clinical study attributed red wine to be among the top migraine-causing beverages. And wine isn’t the only trigger, many experience head pain from beers and spirits. Migraine sufferers are also found to drink less than those who do not get migraines.
Many foods are linked to migraines. Aged cheese and meats contain nitrates, so many find the onset of head pain after consuming such foods. Like alcohol, caffeine can cause you to become dependent on it and cause a migraine from its withdrawal. Eating certain foods or going for hours without eating can also cause a migraine to strike.
Migraines are still being studied to better determine what biologically causes them. Jason Chiu, MD believes in identifying your triggers to better prevent migraines from occurring. This can be done by keeping a journal of when your migraines occur, how long they lasted, and what you think the onset was. This will help you to determine any patterns and to avoid any potential migraine triggers.
Stress often goes hand-in-hand with migraines. Taking up yoga or meditation can greatly reduce your frequency of getting a migraine. Try to take 15 minutes out of your day, especially in stressful times, to collect your thoughts and focus on your breathing. It can do wonders for your mood and mindset.
If your chronic migraines are getting in the way of your work and relationships, you can take medications to provide relief. Triptans are the most common class of drugs used to treat migraines. Some medications include:
You don’t have to live in constant pain or worry about your next migraine strike. Dr. Chiu can help you get to the root of your problem and work with you to manage your symptoms. Don’t wait until the next time you get a migraine. Take control of your health today.
Contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chiu and start living pain-free.
