Migraine and Headache Treatment Specialist Q&A

While a migraine is technically a severe headache disorder, there are several different types of headaches that differ in location, intensity, and sensation from migraines. Moreover, migraine symptoms are not limited to a headache.

With that in mind, migraines are typically much more intense and debilitating than other headaches and are often experienced as recurring attacks or episodes. Migraine episodes can last anywhere from several hours to a few days. Depending on the symptoms experienced with a migraine, there are four possible phases that a migraine can go through, including the premonitory phase, the aura phase, the headache phase, and the postdrome phase. Each phase can occur with one or more of the following symptoms:

Premonitory phase:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Food cravings
• Frequent yawning
• Increased sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds
• Neck stiffness
• Unexplained mood swings

Aura phase:

• Blind spots that gradually expand
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty speaking, thinking clearly, understanding what others say, or writing words or sentences
• Flashing lights
• Zig-zagging lines

Headache phase:

• Mild to severe headache that is usually experienced on one side of the head, although some experiences pain on both sides
• Headache that worsens with physical activity or exposure to certain lights, sounds, or smells.

Postdrome phase:

• Confusion
• Exhaustion
• A general feeling of being unwell

It should be noted migraines do not always occur with every symptom listed above, as some migraines occur without the aura phase, while others occur without the headache phase.

There are several things you can do to help manage and alleviate pain from migraines and headaches. However, the best thing to do is to check with your doctor before pursuing treatment for a migraine or headache. Your doctor can provide expert medical advice in letting you know what is most likely to help with your migraine and what is unlikely to help or could even be harmful. If you do not have a primary care doctor or would like to seek treatment from pain management specialists, we would be happy to help you manage and find relief from migraine or headache pain at Golden State Medical Center! For more information, please feel free to contact us.

Yes, migraines are a common cause of severe headaches. However, they do not always lead to severe headaches, as some migraines can occur with mild headaches, while others can occur without any headache at all, but rather with a different set of symptoms.

A migraine specialist can evaluate your symptoms, assess the cause of your migraine, and prescribe treatment to alleviate and help you manage the pain and discomfort caused by the migraine. Your migraine specialist will prescribe treatment that is safe and most likely to be effective given your medical history, any medications you are taking, as well as the cause and severity of your migraine, and the symptoms you are experiencing with it.