Migraines Specialist
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Internal Medicine & Board Certified Internal Medicine located in Sun City, Prescott & Phoenix, AZ
Internal Medicine & Board Certified Internal Medicine located in Sun City, AZ & Central Physicians Plaza, Phoenix, AZ
Migraines impede the lives of about 39 million Americans. They can cause you to miss out on work, social events, and even small daily tasks that usually don’t take much effort. At Centra Internal Medicine in Sun City, Prescott and Phoenix, Arizona, Manish Sahni, MD, can help you learn to manage your migraines and identify the triggers that start them. If you suffer from intensely painful migraines regularly, call or schedule an appointment online at Centra Internal Medicine to start working against them.
Migraines Q & A
What are migraines?
Migraines are intense, throbbing pain that usually occurs on just one side of your head. They can last for hours or even days at a time, and usually come with other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity, and disrupted vision.
Nobody knows what causes migraines, but genetics, hormones, and your nervous system may each play a role. They’re difficult to predict, and they can debilitate you to the point of missing work.
What’s the difference between migraines and other headaches?
Identifying the pain in your head as a headache or a migraine can mean the difference between effective treatment or the wrong treatment. Regular headaches are characterized by pain or pressure in your head and usually occur on both sides at once.
The most common types are:
- Tension headaches: Headaches caused by stress or strain
- Cluster headaches: Cycles of pain in your head with periods of painlessness between them
- Sinus headaches: Headaches that accompany sinus infections
On the other hand, migraines cause severe, throbbing pain on one side of your head and bring other symptoms with them. Migraines make it difficult to work and complete even the easiest of tasks.
What triggers migraines?
Even though the true underlying cause of migraines is unknown, a few occurrences can trigger them. Common migraine triggers are:
- Stress
- Hormone changes (e.g. your period, menopause)
- Certain foods or medications
- Alcohol
- Bright lights
- Intense physical activity
- Changes in the weather
Once you’re familiar with your triggers, you can almost predict when you’ll get a migraine. If you can avoid your triggers, you can avoid getting migraines in the first place.
How can I manage my migraines?
There are a few steps you can take to manage your migraines and the pain that comes with them. Dr. Sahni may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, or he may prescribe preventive medications. Steps you can take to manage your migraines at home include:
- Getting enough sleep, but not too much
- Muscle-relaxing exercises
- Identifying and avoiding your triggers
- Massages
Your treatment plan depends on the severity and frequency of your migraines. Before your appointment, be sure to write down all of the symptoms that come with your migraines and the triggers that you’ve identified.
If headaches or migraines are stopping you from living your life and getting your work done, call or book an appointment online with Dr. Sahni at Centra Internal Medicine today.
