Do you or a loved one get migraines? If you haven’t gotten one, you probably don’t know what it feels like. People who get frequent migraines sometimes struggle to express how they feel and why they must make last minute changes to plans if they end up getting one.
Here are things people who get migraines wish others knew. If you are a migraine sufferer, share these with people in your life. If you do not get migraines yourself but have someone in your life who does, here are some points that’ll make you understand the condition a little better.
It Is Nothing Like a Headache.
A migraine is so much more than a headache. The symptoms of a migraine include a throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, vision obstructions that appear right when a migraine is about to set in, and light, sound, and smell sensitivity. A headache goes away with ibuprofen, whereas a migraine does not. Moreover, a migraine can last days and repeatedly come back. Unlike with a normal headache, most people can’t simply take a pain reliever and go on about their day. Migraines require self-isolation in a quiet and dark place until it subsides. For many, this could be hours or even days.
It Can Have Disabling Effects.
Migraine episodes can be disabling. The combination of symptoms can prevent you from going to work, seeing friends and family, and attending events or social gatherings. A migraine can make you miss out on things that mean a lot to you, like a birthday party or a concert you’d been waiting months for. As a result, people around a migraine sufferer must be understanding and accommodating.
There are Migraine Triggers.
People who frequently get migraines often have triggers. For some, it may be certain smells, while for others it may be particular foods. Some people get migraines when they skip meals. Many women get migraines based on hormonal changes due to their menstrual cycle. You may also get migraines if you drink a lot or have a lot of stress to deal with. The important thing is to figure out what your triggers are and avoid them. This method will help you reduce the frequency of your migraines.
You Have to Act Fast.
When you get a migraine, it is important to stop what you’re doing and get ready to pass the migraine. If you are at work and a migraine comes on, you should leave work and head home. If you are planning a day out and a migraine develops, pushing through the migraine will likely not fix it, and you will probably end up being miserable. Many times, avoiding treatment can make migraine symptoms worse. Therefore, as soon as you feel a migraine is setting in, take medication (based on your family medicine provider’s orders) and get to a quiet, relaxing place to rest.
Migraine Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida
If you are one of the over 38 million Americans who suffer from migraines, and you haven’t found a treatment plan that works for you, the internal family medicine provider at Advanced Medical can help. We treat a variety of conditions that affect adults, including migraines.
Talk to us about your symptoms, and we will come up with a solution that works. To schedule a consultation, call Advanced Medical at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment now. We also accept walk-ins!