If you think you may be suffering from migraines, you're not alone. The CDC estimates that over 15% of American adults have had a migraine in the last three months. Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA can analyze your headaches and determine a treatment plan that's right for you.
How Do I Know If It's a Migraine?
Not everyone realizes they have migraines because although many migraines are debilitating, some can be moderate in intensity. Symptoms can also vary from person to person. The pain may occur on only one side of the head or on both sides. It can also be in the front or back of the head. Migraine pain often occurs around the eyes or behind the cheeks, but it doesn't have to.
Migraine is usually accompanied by other symptoms in addition to head pain. The most common symptoms include increased sensitivity to light or noise, nausea, and vomiting. Many migraine sufferers experience pain from things that don't normally hurt, like brushing their hair or even a light touch on the skin. Some experience changes in vision, such as seeing sparks or spots, or numbness in the face, hands, or feet.
Should I Go to a Doctor for My Migraines?
Migraine is more than just a headache; it's a change in neurological functioning that a trained physician can diagnose. Consult a doctor at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA for migraines if any of the following apply to you:
- You have headaches more than once a week
- Your headaches are increasing in frequency
- Migraines are interfering with your daily activities or plans for the future
- Over-the-counter medications or other remedies don't work for your migraines
- You're taking medication more than two times per week
Other signs that you should see a physician may be less specific, such as an awareness that your headaches are controlling you rather than you controlling them, or if people in your life seem to be identifying you with your headaches and asking you about them.
Your physician can talk with you about your medical history, specific symptoms, and triggers. Managing migraines involves both prevention and treatment. Your doctor can work with you to develop a treatment plan that may include adopting healthy behavioral or lifestyle changes and medications. The physicians at Winchester Neurological Consultants in Winchester, VA can help you manage your migraines and return to a normal life. If you know it's time to take control of your migraines, call our office at (540) 667-1828 to schedule an appointment.