Posts Tagged ‘migraine’
Migraine Myths: Only Medication Can Help Migraine
Don’t we all wish there was a magic pill that could cure our migraine forever?! Unfortunately, that is just not the case. Migraine is a complex neurological disease that presents itself on a wide spectrum of frequency, severity, symptoms, attack triggers, and responses to treatments. While medication is an important part of any treatment toolbox, it’s…
Read MoreMigraine Myths: Migraine Only Lasts 4-72 Hours
Have you heard that migraine attacks only last between 4 and 72 hours? Many people believe this to be true, but unfortunately, it’s a myth. In fact, migraine attacks can last much longer than a few hours or a few days, sometimes lasting weeks, months, or even years. What Is Status Migrainosus? According to the…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: Parkinson’s Disease
Migraine is comorbid with Parkinson’s Disease, a central nervous system disorder that affects movement. It is a progressive disease, where symptoms generally begin slowly and worsen over time. Parkinson’s causes a gradual loss of the nerve cells in the brain that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine.[1] The reduction in dopamine causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: PTSD
Did you know that research shows PTSD is comorbid with chronic migraine? In fact, people with migraine are 3 to 4 times more likely to live with PTSD. [1] Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition caused by a reaction to experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. PTSD is quite common and can…
Read MoreMigraine: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
I often look at migraine as a gift that keeps on giving! Not to be overly fatalistic or negative, but truly, if you live with migraine, have you ever wondered WHEN it is going to stop?! What Doesn’t Migraine Impact? I mean, each of us tends to grow up with hopes and dreams. We may…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: Patent Foramen Ovale
So, you’ve been told that you have migraine disease! Some people are relieved to finally have a diagnosis while others have sudden fear and anxiety. On top of that, your health care provider shares with you that you have migraine with aura. This brings a whole new set of questions and issues. Then, as you’re…
Read MoreJourney On: My Journey Living with Vestibular Migraine
The Beginning Looking back now, my journey began 11 years ago on July 14, 2011. Little did I realize that my life would change forever on that day. I remember having a history of bad headaches on and off since college, but now I had begun to experience horribly intense ones. I will always remember the afternoon…
Read MoreMy Experience with Ketamine Infusion at Jefferson Headache Center
Ketamine is a medication that is sometimes used off-label for migraine treatment, and headache specialists on the cutting edge of migraine treatment sometimes prescribe it as a nasal spray or by in-patient infusion. Many patients aren’t aware that this is an option, and there is little known about what it is like to get an in-patient infusion,…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: Back Pain
Along with migraine, do you experience back pain? Many people with migraine also have back, joint, shoulder, and neck pain. In fact, according to the U.S Pain Foundation’s 2022 survey report, A Chronic Pain Crisis, 95% of adults surveyed said they have at least one other comorbid (chronic) pain condition. Causes of Migraine and Back Pain…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: Autoimmune Diseases
How many chronic conditions do you have, including migraine? Many people with migraine also live with autoimmune diseases – some have multiple – this is because migraine and autoimmune diseases are considered to be comorbid! (Note: a comorbid condition is a disease or condition that is simultaneously present with another, generally occurring in a greater frequency than…
Read MoreMigraine Comorbidities: Insomnia
Does a lack of sleep trigger your migraine attacks? Do you have trouble sleeping? You are not alone if you answered “yes” to either of these two questions. According to the American Migraine Foundation, people living with migraine are between two and eight times more likely to experience trouble sleeping (sleep disorders) than the general public.…
Read MoreMigraine Medications Explained
A mix of medications is an important part of the migraine treatment toolbox. And while a wide variety of medications are available to help you manage your specific type of migraine and associated symptoms, navigating the many options can be difficult. Finding a medication or combination that works for you can be challenging and may require…
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