Migraine Specialist
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Tidewater Neurology
Neurology Specialists located in West Ashley, Charleston, SC, Mt. Pleasant, SC & Goose Creek, SC
Migraine affects 12% of Americans, causing debilitating headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light. If you have the condition migraine, you owe it to yourself to meet with the experienced team at Tidewater Neurology. They offer medications that reduce the severity of your migraine attacks, as well as provide advanced treatments that lower the frequency of future headaches. To learn more about your treatment options, call the office in Mt. Pleasant, Goose Creek, or the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina, or book an appointment online today.
Migraine Q & A
What is migraine?
Migraine ranks as one of the most debilitating conditions you can experience. Migraine is a brain disorder, and during an attack, there is a burst of electrical activity, causing a cascade of biochemical reactions that affect blood vessels and nerve endings. The result of this complex interaction can produce severe headaches, nausea, light or sound sensitivity, and/or vertigo.
Many things trigger migraine, and each person has their triggers. A few examples of the most common triggers include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Drinking alcohol
- Changes in the weather
- Dehydration
- Strong odors
- Lights
- Certain foods
- Caffeine
- Hormones
Foods that frequently trigger migraine include cheese, chocolate, and items containing caffeine or artificial sweeteners. Food additives, especially monosodium glutamate (MSG) and foods rich in histamines such as fermented foods, dried fruits, eggplant, and processed meats, also trigger migraine.
What symptoms occur during a migraine attack?
You may have food cravings or experience mood swings in the days before your migraine attack begins. About one-third of patients experience aura before their migraine. Patients with aura have unusual sensations like uncontrollable muscle movements or seeing flashes of light.
After the migraine attack begins, you experience:
- Severe, throbbing pain around one or both temples
- Sensitivity to light, sound, smell, or touch
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vertigo (sensation that the room is spinning)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
If you don’t take medication to reduce your symptoms, the pain lasts at least four hours and may go on for days, and at times even longer.
How is migraine treated?
Your Tidewater Neurology provider begins by helping you identify things in your life that are contributing. Often lifestyle changes alone can reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks.
Your provider may also prescribe medication. You take some medications at the beginning of the attack to reduce the severity and duration. You may also need preventive medications that help reduce the frequency of future migraine attacks.
Tidewater Neurology specializes in several advanced migraine treatment options, including:
- CGRP monoclonal antibody injections
- Botox® injections (for chronic migraines)
- Peripheral nerve block
- Neuromodulation
- Intravenous therapies
CGRP injections and Botox block the neurological cascade that occurs in your brain. The other treatments calm the nerves or prevent them from triggering the cascade.
If you suffer from the condition migraine, it’s time to learn about treatments that can substantially improve your quality of life. Call Tidewater Neurology or book an appointment online today.