Migraine Treatment in Germantown, MD

Migraine Treatment in Germantown, MD

A migraine is more than a bad headache. It is a neurologic disorder that requires specialized migraine therapy in Germantown. This common condition affects about 36 million people in the U.S. alone. Three times more women suffer from migraines than men. Migraine headaches are even more common than diabetes and asthma combined. Often an inherited condition, migraines tend to run in families. Sufferers may have one or two attacks per month, with about four percent of people suffering from chronic daily headaches.

Migraine Treatment in Germantown

An attack can last anywhere from four to 72 hours on average, leaving the victim unable to work or function normally. Typical migraine symptoms include:

  • Aura/visual disturbances
  • Dizziness
  • Extreme sensitivity to lights, sounds, smells
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Tingling or numbness in the face or extremities

In about 15 to 20 percent of cases, migraine sufferers experience warning signs (neurological symptoms) before the debilitating head pain begins.

Headache Therapy

It can be difficult to know exactly what causes a migraine, but these are a few common triggers:

  • Caffeine or withdrawal of caffeine
  • Change in sleep patterns (including sleep apnea)
  • Exercise
  • Exposure to bright light
  • Skipping meals
  • Stress or a sudden release of stress
  • Strong odors (perfume, paint fumes, gasoline)

Foods that can possibly trigger a migraine:

  • Aged cheese
  • Alcohol, particularly beer and red wine
  • Avocado, guacamole, bananas, dried fruit
  • Chocolate
  • Cold foods
  • Cured, deli, and smoked meats
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG, a food additive commonly used to enhance flavor, particularly in Asian food)

For some migraine-sufferers, lifestyle changes can either help reduce the number of attacks per month or prevent headaches altogether.

Preventative Migraine Treatment Near You

Preventive migraine treatment near you uses medicines to reduce the number of attacks and reduce the severity of pain or associated symptoms.

  • Anti-seizure medications
  • Botulinum toxin type A (Botox)
  • Cardiovascular medications (beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, or SNRIs.

Steps you can take on your own to manage migraine outbreaks include relaxation techniques, biofeedback, exercise, proper rest, and a diet that avoids potential food triggers.

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