Migraine Headache

Neurology Institute of Huntsville, Inc. Board-Certified Neurologists located in Huntsville, AL

Migraine Headache Specialist

Migraine headaches affect 12% of all Americans, including children, but women are three times more likely to develop these excruciating headaches compared to men. At the Neurology Institute of Huntsville, Jitesh Kar, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurologist, helps patients reduce the frequency and intensity of their migraines using a variety of advanced treatments. If you’d like to get relief from your migraines, call the office in Huntsville, Alabama, or schedule an appointment online.

Migraine Headache Q&A

What triggers a migraine headache?

A migraine is a neurological disorder that begins when an internal or external trigger leads to hyperactive cranial nerves. There are many possible triggers, but a few of the most common include:

Stress
Caffeine
Alcohol
Lack of sleep
Weather changes
Dehydration
Missing meals
Certain foods
Food additives

Natural hormonal changes in women may also trigger a migraine headache.

What symptoms develop during a migraine?

Some patients experience changes in their mood or develop food cravings the day or two before a migraine. Additionally, about one-third of migraine patients experience aura in the hour before their migraine pain begins.

Many patients with aura have vision changes, such as seeing flashing lights or wavy lines. But your aura may be a different sensation, such as difficulty speaking, jerking movements, or hearing noises.

When your migraine begins, you experience:

Severe pain around one or both temples
Pain that throbs or pulses
Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or smells
Nausea and vomiting
Vertigo (feeling like the room is spinning)

Migraine attacks last at least four hours and may last as long as three days. After the painful attack ends, some patients continue to feel weak or confused for up to 24 hours.

How are migraine headaches treated?

At the Neurology Institute of Huntsville, Dr. Kar provides comprehensive treatment for migraine headaches, beginning with helping you identify your triggers and create a plan for avoiding them. Your treatment may include one or more of the following:

Pain-relieving and preventive medications

Dr. Kar may prescribe medications that you take at the start of a migraine to reduce the pain or medications that you take daily to help reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines. One of today’s newest preventive medications, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), is a once-monthly injection that may effectively reduce the number of migraine headaches you experience.

Nerve block

Dr. Kar performs a nerve block by injecting a local anesthetic at the nerve that sends migraine pain signals to your brain. Once he injects the drug, it blocks the signals, which in turn relieves your pain.

You can get effective treatment for migraines. To learn more about your options, call the Neurology Institute of Huntsville, or schedule an appointment online.

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