Migraine Treatment Clinic in Virginia

A migraine is one of many different types of headaches that people can experience.

It can be hard to tell the difference from one type of headache to another, and depending on the person, they can experience migraines with a variety of symptoms. Migraine sufferers will know the difference between a migraine and a headache as the symptoms and pain are more severe.

Migraines are typically focused on one side of the head, with the pain coming in the form of a pulsing sensation or severe throbbing.
The pain of a migraine is typically accompanied by additional symptoms such as being highly sensitive to sound and light, as well as feelings of nausea and vomiting.

Depending on the person, and the particular migraine, the pain and additional symptoms can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, and disrupt the sufferer’s normal daily activities including work, school, and sports.

Migraines are common in people of all ages, from children to adults, and the severity varies with life stage. There are four stages of migraine development, though people may not experience all of them. The four stages are:

– Prodrome is a condition that causes changes in the body one or two days before a migraine. Constipation, mood swings, cravings, neck stiffness, fluid retention, an increased desire to pee, and more frequent yawning are some of the symptoms patients report.

– Aura is a common migraine symptom that can appear before or during the migraine. The majority of the time, they are visual, which means that the patient sees flashes of light, bright spots, or varied forms in their vision, or they have vision loss. Other nervous symptom auras are numbness in the arms and legs, trouble with speech, and numbness on a particular side of the body.

– An attack is a real migraine, which can last somewhere between 4 and 72 hours, depending on the person’s condition. During the attack, patients will feel pain on one or both sides of their heads, throbbing or pulsing pain, dizziness, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound and light, as well as touch and scent on occasion.

– Post-drome is a feeling that individuals experience after a migraine, which can leave them feeling disoriented, physically fatigued, and generally awful for up to a day.

Just as each migraine sufferer’s symptoms will be different, so will their migraine triggers. There are common migraine triggers that doctors have found over the years of studying their patients.

Some people may have numerous triggers; others may have only one, and some people get migraines frequently while others experience them on a rare basis.

Regardless of the frequency, understanding what your migraine triggers are can help to avoid getting a migraine.

Common migraine triggers include hormonal changes, particularly in women, drinks containing alcohol or caffeine, stress, sensory stimuli such as strong smells or blinking lights, too much or not enough sleep, physical exertion, weather changes, medications, and certain foods.

Patients who seek medical attention from their doctor regarding migraines will often be asked to keep a journal of food, drinks, sleep, activities, etc. to help the doctor determine what the migraine triggers might be.

Your family doctor or primary care physician can be your first point of contact regarding migraines. They will help you pinpoint what the triggers are and can also work with you on making adjustments to your diet or lifestyle to help minimize the severity and frequency of your migraines. They are also able to prescribe medications if needed for either migraine prevention or to be taken when you are experiencing a migraine attack.

Depending on the severity, frequency, and your medical history, your doctor may want to refer you to a neurologist for further testing and treatment as they have received additional education and experience with treating headaches.

You can also seek medical care through urgent care for severe migraines, such as Nova Patient Care. To learn more about migraine and its treatment options, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Woodbridge VA, Bethel VA, Dale City VA, Old Town Alexandria VA, Huntington VA, Fort Hunt VA, Arlington VA, Mclean VA, Idylwood VA, Kingstowne Center Alexandria VA, Franconia VA, Newington VA, Falls Church VA, Annandale VA, Tysons VA, Richmond Hwy Alexandria VA, Pentagon City Arlington VA, Seven Corners VA, Lake Barcroft, VA and surrounding areas.