Migraines

If you ever experience migraines, you know just how debilitating they can be. Relief is available from board-certified nurse practitioners board-certified nurse practitioners Ana Taylor, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Chantel Collier, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and the professional staff and the professional staff of Complete Rural Medicine with locations in Friend and Lincoln, Nebraska. Don’t let migraines control the course of your days and nights when help is just a phone call away. Online booking is also an option. 

What are migraines?

Most people think of migraines as an especially painful type of headache. In reality, migraines are a collection of neurological symptoms — — head pain being one of the most common. 

Researchers believe a genetic disorder causesa genetic disorder causes migraines.. Statistics assert that migraines are a leading cause of disability - - not just in America, but around the world. 

Headaches caused by migraines are considered a primary type of headache. This means they’’re not caused by another condition or a symptom of a different health problem.  

What are the symptoms of a migraine?

Everyone who suffers from migraines hass a unique experience. Even if you’ve had them for years, your next attack might be very different from previous ones. 

For many people, subtle signs appear a day or two before the actual migraine kicks in. Known as the prodrome period, some of the changes you might experience include:

• Fluid retention
• Frequent yawning
• Food cravings
• Constipation
• Mood shifts

You might also experience sensory abnormalities before or during a migraine. Known as auras, these changes might include:

• Vision loss
• Seeing flashes of light or bright spots
• Numbness or weakness in your face or on one side of your body
• Trouble speaking normally

Once the migraine attack is in full effect, pain often throbss or pulseses on one or both sides of your head. You might feel nauseous or need to vomit, and it’s common to be overly sensitive to lights and sounds.

Are there treatments that can help with migraine pain?

There are medications that can help treat migraines. Some are drugs you take at the onset of symptoms and act to reduce pain and other changes. A different type of drug therapy is taken on a daily basis and can prevent most migraines. This approach best suitss people who suffer from four or more migraines a month.

Another good way to control migraine pain is to keep track of the circumstances surrounding your attacks. Many people find their migraines occur only around certain triggers. Emotional distress, being overtired, not drinking enough water, or even sudden shifts in the weather can trigger migraines. Tracking these triggers can help you take steps to reduce your risk. 

If you’d like to learn more about migraine treatment options, call Complete Rural Medicine today to schedule a visit. Online booking is also an option and can be done from the comfort of your your home, any time of day or night.