Having a painful migraine on your busiest day is such a bummer. But, unfortunately, this is a regular occurrence for about 39 million Americans.
Don’t mistake migraines for “just headaches” as they are different in so many ways. Migraines can be more intense and may bring about various symptoms out of nowhere. On average, migraine episodes last between 4 to 72 hours. Migraines are the type of illness that could creep in at any time and sometimes disable you from doing your regular routines.
Migraines often display these symptoms:
- Moderate to severe pulsing pain on one side of the head
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Nausea that involves vomiting
- Numbness in the legs, some parts of the face, and arms
- Sensitivity to loud noises, bright and flashing lights, and strong odors
If you are looking for good ways to deal with the never-ending pain of migraines, then you're just on the right page. Read until the end to learn what works to cope with the pain. We will also introduce you to a migraine chiropractor in Alameda who knows how to get into the root of your suffering.
Know Your Risk for Migraines
Below is a list of risk factors for migraine progression.
- Gender – Studies show that women get more migraines than men. For the record, 28 million migraineurs in the United States are women. Researchers point to hormones as the primary reason why females are naturally more vulnerable to migraines.
- Genetics – If one or both of your parents are migraineurs, you are more prone to have migraines too.
- Stress – Elevated stress levels trigger migraines. At the same time, the relaxation or "let down" stage after a very stressful event can also spark a migraine episode.
- Unhealthy sleep patterns – Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much can also be a risk factor for a migraine attack.
- Weather changes – The variation in atmospheric pressure due to weather changes can trigger a migraine attack. Specifically, a lower atmospheric pressure is most likely to induce migraines for most individuals.
- Upper cervical spine misalignment – A misalignment causes damage and irritation to the nerves around the neck, leading to headaches and migraines. Fortunately, there is still hope if your migraines are due to this factor. But first, consult with a reliable migraine chiropractor in Alameda to confirm if an upper cervical misalignment is the cause of your pain.
More Migraine Facts
Who gets migraines, and how common are they?
- Migraines tend to run in families. So, as mentioned above, if your parent or anyone in your direct relatives has a history of migraines, you could also have them.
- Experts believe adults tend to experience more migraines than children.
- But definitely, migraines also occur in children. In early childhood and before the adolescent stage, girls are more vulnerable to migraines than boys.
- Women are three times more prone to them than men.
More Migraine Symptoms to Watch Out For
Migraine symptoms vary from person to person. Your migraine symptoms may not be as severe as how others feel them. Other general symptoms of migraine include:
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability and mood swings
- Fatigue
- Rare cases of diarrhea
- Chills and excessive sweating
- Concentration problems
- Stiffness in some areas of the muscle
- Weakness
- Nasal congestion
Available Methods to Cope with A Painful Migraine
Unlike in the past decades, migraine care options are now more available. In addition, studies and treatment developments pave the way for more accessible remedies and drugs for migraine symptoms. Some of them include:
- Over-the-counter medications: You can get access to common migraine medications at your local pharmacies. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Tylenol are just a few of the medicines that you can use for mild and moderate pain. However, if you have a more severe condition like heart disease, you must consult your doctor before taking over-the-counter pills.
- Botox: Did you know that you can help relieve your migraines using Botox, the known injection for wrinkles? Botox works by freezing the head muscles to cease the flow of pain message signals to the brain. However, there are possible risks when using this form of remedy for migraines.
- Upper cervical chiropractic – Upper cervical chiropractors can assess, diagnose and adjust the neck misalignments that are causing migraines. By correcting the underlying issue of your migraine, your body can naturally guide you back to your desired health.
Visit our Office for a Certified Migraine Chiropractor in Alameda
Dr. Forest, our migraine chiropractor in Alameda, can help manage and eliminate your symptoms. He does gentle and precise adjustments to get your upper cervical spine back to its normal position.
This type of method is called upper cervical chiropractic care. It can help relieve the stress on your nervous system, thus making way for a faster and more natural migraine relief. In addition, having a well-aligned upper cervical spine can help your nervous system work more effectively.
Now is the time to make a major difference. If your pain stems from either a neck injury or head trauma, seeing our migraine chiropractor in Alameda makes perfect sense. He can help you in your quest to cope with migraines.
Forest Upper Cervical Chiropractic Centers is located in Santa Clara Avenue Alameda, CA. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Forest by calling 510-522-1818 or sending an email to DrForest@ForestChiropractic.com.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Forest, call our Alameda office at 510-522-1818. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
