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This type of headache can be debilitating and unfortunately, migraine causes aren’t fully understood. Migraine headaches are characterized by severe throbbing pain and they can last for a few hours or for as long as 72 hours. Doctors believe migraines are caused by abnormal changes in brain chemicals leading to the release of inflammatory substances that affect the blood vessels and nerves in the head.
There are over 150 types of headaches, and headaches affect nearly fifty percent of adults. Headaches may be classified as primary or secondary, as well as other headache types. For the quickest possible headache relief in NYC and NJ, there’s no better choice than Dr. Mark Cohen of Neuro Injury Specialists.
Many people call any intense headache a migraine, but a migraine is a particular kind of headache.
Things that distinguish a migraine headache from other types include:
Tension headaches, cluster headaches and allergy headaches can all be very painful. Rebound headaches,also known as medication overuse headaches, are caused by taking medication such as aspirin or acetaminophen too often. Migraines are a neurological condition that involves brain chemicals and nerve pathways. The intensity of migraines often makes them more disabling than other types of headaches.
It’s not always easy to predict who may get migraines. A combination of genetics and environmental factors are among possible migraine causes. Migraine headaches affect more than 12 percent of Americans.
People who suffer from these crippling headaches include:
Migraines may be lifelong. People who have migraines often have a family member that also has migraines. Those who are affected may have migraines daily, weekly or only once or twice a year.
Through extensive interviews and diagnostic testing, your doctor works with you to determine what triggers occur to cause your migraines.
Common migraine triggers that may be at work for you include:
Too much caffeine or alcohol can also trigger migraines, and stopping caffeine abruptly can cause headaches. Some medications including birth control may trigger migraines. Since there are so many possible migraines causes and triggers, if you suffer from migraines, keep a journal where you describe your symptoms, when they started, how long they lasted and what may have triggered your headaches.
Migraine headaches can be disabling and seriously interfere with your quality of life. Choosing the most skilled doctor in the field of neurology to have diagnostic testing is the best way to confirm if you have migraine headaches or a different type of headache and to find out about the most up-to-date treatment options.
The doctor you choose should be board certified in their specialty. Dr. Cohen of Neuro Injury Specialists is highly experienced in neurology and pain management. Contact him at Neuro Injury Specialists, where you also find a dedicated, compassionate team committed to providing exceptional care to anyone who suffers from headaches, nerve pain or traumatic injuries.