A migraine can be an extremely debilitating event. Only sufferers know how crippling a migraine attack can be, and how distressing it is when it becomes chronic. The majority of patients report a 50% decrease in productivity as a consequence of their attacks. When it comes to easing migraine pain, migraine medication is the at-home treatment by default. However, our migraine doctor in Webster has compiled the five best tips to fend it off.
❓ Did you know? The World Health Organization places migraine as one of the 10 most disabling medical illnesses on Earth.
What Happens to Your Body When You Have a Migraine?
Researchers cannot agree on one single cause of migraines. Nevertheless, there is information about how it affects our bodies.
Migraine pain occurs due to waves of activity by groups of excitable brain cells. The brain cells in question produce chemicals like serotonin or estrogen to narrow blood vessels. When the levels of these chemicals in our brains and bodies change, the consequence is a migraine.
Migraines in women are often associated with the aforementioned fluctuating hormone levels and could explain why women are more prone to having migraines than men.
So, what happens?
- The onset. At the start, neurons in the brain fire abnormally due to an external trigger. That trigger could be lack of sleep, increasing stress levels, your diet, strong scents, or hormonal changes.
- Hypersensitivity. The excited neurons cause hyperexcitability in the brain and, as a result, symptoms affect the senses. People can feel nausea or sensitivity to light and sound. Some sufferers even experience aura.
- Attack. The decreasing levels of serotonin cause the blood vessels surrounding the brain to dilate, and it’s this expansion that can lead to the pulsing sensation in your head, often concentrated on one side.
- Aftermath. Most migraines last between 4 and 72 hours, if they aren’t treated. However, once they’re gone, your body is still recovering. It is not uncommon to experience a lack of concentration, fatigue, and even weakness the day after. Resting and drinking a lot of water is important until you can get back to your normal self.
If migraines are not treated, they can become chronic. That’s why it’s imperative that you consult with a migraine doctor in Webster to learn the steps to take to put an end to it.
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Our Migraine Doctor in Webster’s 5 Tips to Ease Migraines
At Space City Pain, we are at the forefront of migraine care. Our head specialist has put together this list of actions to ease the intensity of the migraine attacks. This way, next time you suffer one, you have resources to manage the pain before you come to our offices.
1. Keep a Headache Diary
Although it might seem awkward to do it, it is a good idea to keep track of the symptoms and the frequency of the attacks. Also, the more descriptive you are, the more information your doctor will have to make a decision.
2. Apply Heat or Cold to the Back of Your Neck
Cold can have a numbing effect. In that sense, it acts as a distraction from the migraine. Always remember to wrap the compress in cloth so as to protect the skin.
Many people prefer warm compresses, though. This is because the heat helps relax the muscles. You might also want to try taking a shower.
3. Migraine Doctor in Webster Says Keep Your Lavender Close
Research has confirmed that lavender produces a slight calming, soothing, and sedative effect when we inhale the scent. Lavender essential oil has that effect as well. It also helps to reduce stress and improve depression symptoms. Because of that, it can help relieve migraine symptoms.
4. Welcome to the Dark Side
Sensitivity to light is one symptom the majority of sufferers agree on. Light-induced pain can be the result of light-sensing cells in our eyes that help maintain sleep cycles and the pupil’s response to light. If you go to a room where it is dark and quiet, chances are your migraine may subside more quickly. Especially if you are able to catch some Z’s.
5. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Can Help Ease Migraine Pain
Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a method to relax your muscles. It involves a two-step process:
- To begin the exercise, you should breathe in slowly and tenses a muscle group (you can start from the bottom up), then hold your breath and apply tension for 3–5 seconds.
- Slowly breathe out while releasing the tension and relax the muscles for 10–15 seconds.
The idea behind this technique is that there is a relationship between your mind and body.
The Best Migraine Doctor in Webster: Space City Pain Specialists
OTC medication may make a migraine go away, however, only a specialist will know exactly whether that is the best course of action and what to supplement it with. After careful examination and tests, our award-winning professionals will make a diagnosis and design a plan for you. If you are looking for a migraine doctor in Webster, Texas, Space City Pain Specialists are here for you.
We have been a pioneer in migraine treatments in the Webster, Texas, community since 2004 and continue to provide outstanding care. Our friendly, bilingual, and highly specialized staff excels at offering world-class attention to our patients. Furthermore, we also serve League City, Texas City, Clear Lake, Friendswood, and surrounding areas. Get in touch to book an appointment and begin your journey to a pain-free life.
We don’t manage pain, we treat it.
