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The Four Phases of Migraine Attacks
Did you know there are four phases to migraine attacks? Did you know that each “phase” comes with its own sweet set of symptoms? It’s not just nausea, vomiting and head pain—as if that isn’t enough by itself! We’re going to look at vision distortion, cravings, emotional changes, energy levels, and much more! And, we’re going to look at when each of these MIGHT occur during a migraine attack. Then of course, there’s the sweet “interictal period.” That time in between attacks when theoretically you are symptom-free, but in reality… that is often far from the truth! That’s a topic for another blog, but in short —migraine attacks are complex, unpredictable and debilitating, but being armed with information can help!
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Triggers
Migraine triggers are that all elusive aspect of life with migraine. They’re something we have all heard of, and something we tend to talk a lot about. However, did you know that some triggers can result in more treatment resistant, faster escalating, or more debilitating attacks, while others seem to result in less severe attacks? So, how can we approach treating a migraine attack based on what triggered it? Knowing this can help you come up with an attack-based plan where you can quickly decide how to treat. For example, you will have a better idea of whether to start with an FDA-cleared medical device, rest and OTC medication, or jump straight into your full-strength rescue medication, a dark room, and the need to cancel all appointments or work.
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Symptoms
Nausea? Head pain ? Vision distortion? What are your SYMPTOMS when a migraine attack hits? We know that no two people have the same migraine experience but did you know that even with the same person, attacks can have different symptoms. It’s really important to know what your symptoms are and how they affect you, because that will help you figure out what options you will use to treat different attacks!
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Pain Level
Did you know some people who live with migraine disease experience attacks that go from level 1-10 in just minutes? What can you do when the pain level is already debilitating? What about those attacks that you can catch quickly while the pain level is very low – should there be a different approach to them? There are many abortive treatment options available, and knowing ahead of time which route to take when a migraine hits can be really difficult, but so important. Add in quantity limitations, and wanting to save certain medications for more severe attacks or special occasions you can’t miss, you may end up with a problematic delay in pain relief. Sadly, this sometimes results in more intense pain, or an attack that lasts longer and is more resistant to treatment. So, how can you plan ahead to know how best to treat an attack based on the level of pain experienced?
Read MoreAttack-Based Care: Timing
Have you ever woken up with a full-blown migraine attack? Sometimes I even dream that I am having a migraine, and then the pain gets so bad that it wakes me up and – voila! Sadly, it wasn’t a dream at all! Figuring out how to treat that monster, compared to treating an attack that you catch in the first few minutes, is a whole different animal. It’s a situation made more challenging by all the other symptoms that often go along with a full-blown attack such as vision impairment, dizziness, vertigo, vomiting, and more!
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: Visual Disturbances
Many people with migraine experience visual disturbances. As is true with other migraine symptoms, visual disturbances vary from person to person and attack to attack. Visual disturbances can greatly impact your sensory system and cause an increase in anxiety. In addition, they can make it difficult, or even impossible, to go about normal activities.
Read MoreAttack-Based Care and the Migraine Toolbox
Effective and comprehensive migraine treatment means individualized treatment planning, and there are no “one-size-fits-all” recipes. Having multiple treatment options in your migraine toolbox helps you better manage life with migraine, but figuring out how to treat each individual attack takes it one step further. That is where Attack-Based Care comes into the picture! As you are deciding how to treat your migraine attacks, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and your doctor. The answers you come up with, and the information in the coming blogs, will help support you with what you need to develop your attack-based care plan.
Read MoreThe Stoplight Theory and Migraine Attacks
How many times have you been asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0 – 10? If you’re like me, more times than you can count. But does it really convey the amount of pain AND discomfort we are experiencing? Our migraine treatment plan is often based on the number we assign to our pain, so we need to have a method of communicating that pain and discomfort, as well as how our quality of life is being affected.
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: A Closer Look at GI Issues
Gastrointestinal symptoms commonly accompany migraine attacks. Although they do not necessarily come along with every attack, these symptoms can be quite debilitating and difficult to treat when they do. They can also add to the already intense pain of an attack and leave you feeling drained for days.
Read MoreMigraine Symptoms: A Closer Look at Head Pain
Arguably the most debilitating symptom, head pain, presents in many forms. It can vary from person to person and attack to attack, and it has the power to bring daily activities to a complete halt.
Read MoreMore Than Just a Headache: Examining Migraine Symptoms
Intense head pain is usually the most notable migraine symptom, but it is not the only one. Today we begin a new blog series, More Than Just a Headache: Examining Migraine Symptoms to take a closer look at the variety of ailments that often come along for the ride. We hope to help you better understand your unique set of migraine symptoms and offer tips for managing them.
Read MoreThe Impact of Living with Chronic Migraine
Almost 40 million people in the United States are estimated to be living with migraine. Globally, that number amounts to 1 billion. When the condition is chronic, debilitating symptoms such as throbbing pain, speech changes, and nausea may manifest more often, which can have a devastating impact on a person’s daily life. This article will dive deeper into the effects of chronic migraine on different aspects of a person’s life and what patients can do to try and help mitigate the impact of this disease.
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