Migraines

Are you one of the 39 million Americans who suffer from migraines each year? If so, then you understand how debilitating they can be. A migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It is a collection of neurological symptoms that may include throbbing pain on one side of your head, neck pain or stiffness, nausea, vomiting and visual distortions called “aura”.

The severity of migraine symptoms can make it impossible to function, or they can be limited to minor visual changes without pain or just a generalized feeling of unwellness. The symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.

Although the neurological pathway is still unclear, typically, a migraine is precipitated by one or more stimuli, commonly called “triggers.” Each person has their own individual trigger or triggers; the most common ones include stress, lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, and a wide range of foods, from caffeine to artificial sweeteners.

In some cases, migraines can be triggered by an undiagnosed underlying or co-existing condition. Consequently, it is critical to receive a complete and accurate diagnosis to ensure appropriate and effective treatment for your migraines.

How We Can Help

At The Kaplan Center, our physicians have years of experience treating patients suffering from the pain of migraine headaches, and we completely reject the notion that “you just have to live with it.”

At your first visit, your Kaplan physician will take time exploring the onset of your condition, the specific nature of your symptoms and the overall status of your health. You’ll also be asked about the medications and therapies you’ve tried in the past, and what has and hasn’t worked for you. To gather additional information about your condition, specialized diagnostic laboratory testing may be necessary.

After reviewing all of the factors contributing to your condition, your physician will spend time talking with you about your diagnosis and working with you to create a customized and multi-dimensional treatment plan that addresses not only your immediate pain but also any possible underlying or co-existing conditions that may be causing or contributing to your symptoms.

We offer a multitude of effective treatment options for migraines. Depending upon what is causing or contributing to your migraine headaches, one or more of the following might be helpful to you:

Additional Resources:

Website: Migraine Research Foundation
Website: Migraine Information Page National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Resource: Online Journal (Plus additional tools & resources at Migraine.com)