Migraine
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Pain Management of Long Island
Pain Management & Anesthesiology located in Medford, NY
Migraines are a common neurological issue that affects more than 39 million men, women, and children in the United States, the Migraine Research Foundation reports. With his extensive background in pain relief research and treatments, board-certified physician Mehran Golpariani, MD is an expert at diagnosing and treating migraine headaches. If you’re a migraine sufferer, schedule an evaluation at Pain Management of Long Island in Medford, New York to find a treatment that's right for you.
Migraine Q & A
Why do I have migraines?
Migraines aren’t well understood, but medical experts have found that abnormal changes in the way the brainstem interacts with a major pain pathway, known as the trigeminal nerve, may play a role. Migraines are also likely to stem from an imbalance in brain chemicals.
If you have frequent migraines, chances are, you have low levels of serotonin during migraine attacks. This is the brain chemical that regulates pain throughout your central nervous system.
Triggers for migraine attacks can also include:
- Genetics
- Food additives
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Emotional stress
- Sudden weather changes
Notably, women are three times as likely as men to experience migraine attacks.
What’s the difference between tension headaches and migraines?
Migraines and tension headaches cause severe head pain, but their causes are different.
Tension headaches — one of the most common headaches types — typically come from extreme muscle tension, for example, if you grind your teeth or have a temporomandibular joint disorder. These uncomfortable headaches usually resolve after a few hours.
Migraines cause severe throbbing or pulsing pain related to nerve signaling issues and usually develop on only one side of your head. The pain can be so intense, you also become nauseated, start vomiting, or become overly sensitive to light and sound. In extreme cases, migraine attacks last for several days.
How are migraine headaches treated?
Several effective migraine-relief treatments are available at Pain Management of Long Island. One of the newer treatments is BOTOX® injections.
When used for migraine relief, these injections soothe the nerve causing the migraine attacks, giving you relief right away. Botox is often effective for patients who haven't found relief with other treatments, even if they have frequent or uncontrollable migraines.
Dr. Golpariani may also suggest occipital nerve blocks. These treatments involve injecting medication into the nerves at the base of your skull, just behind your ears. This treatment minimizes the severity and frequency of your head pain, providing lasting migraine relief.
Find long-term relief for migraine headaches by scheduling an appointment at Pain Management of Long Island. Make your appointment through the online scheduling system or by calling the clinic.
