If you’ve ever experienced a severe, pounding headache, you know it can stop your day in its tracks. But for the 39 million Americans who live with migraines, it’s far more than just a bad headache. A migraine is a complex and often debilitating neurological disease. At Neurocare of Nevada, our board-certified neurologist, Dr. Gobinder Chopra, helps patients understand and manage this challenging condition.
While it’s easy to dismiss a bad headache as something you can “power through,” recognizing key migraine symptoms and knowing when to seek professional help is crucial. This article will help you understand the signs of a migraine attack and guide you on when to consult with a neurologist.
Understanding Migraine: More Than Just Head Pain
An actual migraine attack may result in a series of neurological events. While not everyone experiences all phases, they can provide important clues for diagnosis.
- Prodrome (The Warning Signs): This phase can begin up to 24 hours before the headache. Symptoms are often subtle and can include mood changes (irritability or euphoria), neck stiffness, food cravings, frequent yawning, or increased urination.
- Aura (Sensory Disturbances): About 25% of migraine sufferers experience an aura, which is characterized by temporary, reversible neurological symptoms. The most common auras are visual, such as seeing zigzag lines, flashing lights, or blind spots. Other auras can include facial or hand tingling, difficulty speaking, or muscle weakness.
- Headache Phase: This is the most well-known phase. The pain is typically a throbbing or pulsating sensation, often on one side of the head, but it can affect both. The pain is usually moderate to severe and is frequently accompanied by other debilitating migraine symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).
- Postdrome (The “Migraine Hangover”): After the primary attack subsides, many people feel drained and exhausted, with lingering feelings of confusion, difficulty concentrating, or moodiness.
What Triggers a Migraine?
Migraines are complex, and what causes a migraine for one person may not affect another. Understanding your personal triggers is a step toward migraine management. Various factors can provoke an attack, from your diet to your environment. According to the Mayo Clinic, common triggers include:
- Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in estrogen, particularly in women, can trigger migraines. This often occurs around menstrual periods, during pregnancy, or with menopause. Oral contraceptives can also influence migraine frequency.
- Dietary Factors: Certain foods can be a significant trigger for some individuals. These include aged cheeses, salty and processed foods, and food additives like the sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG). Skipping meals can also bring on a migraine.
- Environmental and Sensory Stimuli: Your surroundings can play a significant role. Bright or flashing lights, loud sounds, and strong smells from things like perfumes, paint thinners, or secondhand smoke can induce a migraine attack.
- Stress and Sleep: High stress levels at work or home are a common trigger. Additionally, changes in sleep patterns, whether getting too much or too little, can provoke an attack.
- Physical Exertion and Weather: Intense physical activity, including sexual activity, might provoke a migraine. Changes in weather or barometric pressure can also be a factor.
- Medications: Some oral contraceptives and vasodilators, such as nitroglycerin, can aggravate migraines.
A neurologist can help you identify your specific triggers and create a plan to help you avoid them.
When Is It Time to See a Neurologist?
Recognizing these symptoms is one thing; knowing when they warrant a visit to a neurologist is another. A neurologist is a nervous system professional uniquely qualified to diagnose and manage migraines.
You should consider seeing a neurologist if any of the following apply to you:
- Your Headaches Are Frequent or Severe: If you have more than a few migraine attacks per month, or if they are so severe that they consistently interfere with your daily life, it’s time to seek a professional. A neurologist can help you find a preventive treatment plan.
- Over-the-Counter Medications Aren’t Working: If you rely on over-the-counter pain relievers more than two days a week, they may be ineffective, or you may be at risk for medication overuse headaches, which a neurologist can help you address.
- You Have Unusual or Concerning Symptoms: Seek immediate medical attention if your headache is a “thunderclap” (sudden, extremely severe pain), if it’s accompanied by fever and a stiff neck, or if you experience a headache after a head injury. These could be signs of a more serious underlying condition, like a stroke or brain hemorrhage.
- Your Migraine Attacks Are Increasing in Frequency or Intensity: This could signal a change in your condition that requires a new approach to treatment.
- You Experience Auras: If you have visual or other sensory auras, a neurologist can confirm your diagnosis and rule out other potential causes, such as transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).
How a Neurologist Can Help
A neurologist can provide a comprehensive and personalized approach to migraine management. Dr. Chopra will conduct a neurological exam and discuss your health history to provide a diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment can be tailored to your needs. According to the Mayo Clinic, a multifaceted approach often works well.
- Targeted Medications: A neurologist can prescribe both acute medications to stop a migraine in its tracks and preventive medications to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. For instance, triptans are often used for acute treatment, while daily medications originally designed for other conditions may be used for prevention.
- Addressing Complications: A key service a neurologist provides is helping you avoid a complication known as medication-overuse headaches. This painful cycle can occur if you rely on painkillers too often. A neurologist can help you manage your medication use and break this cycle, so your treatment is helping and not hindering your health.
- Lifestyle and Trigger Management: Beyond medication, a neurologist can work with you to create a comprehensive plan that includes identifying and managing your triggers and incorporating positive lifestyle changes to reduce the impact of migraines on your life.
Meet Our Neurologist: Dr. Gobinder Chopra
At Neurocare of Nevada, our practice is led by Dr. Chopra, a highly qualified and compassionate neurologist dedicated to providing patient care. Dr. Chopra is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, with additional certifications in Clinical Neurophysiology and Brain Injury Medicine. He also holds a certification from the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners.
Dr. Chopra’s passion for medicine began early in life. He entered the Pre-Medical Sciences program at age 15, earning his degree from Punjab University before enrolling at Dayanand Medical College in 1984. His focus and determination led him to complete his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in 1991.
After his medical training, Dr. Chopra moved to the United States, where he completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Kern Medical Center, UCLA in Bakersfield, California. He then began his neurology residency at the UCLA Los Angeles Veterans Administration Medical Center. He was accepted into a fellowship program at Stanford University, where he received advanced training in Clinical Neurophysiology and Intra-Operative Neurological Monitoring.
Recognizing a significant need for patient care in neurology, Dr. Chopra established his practice in Las Vegas. He has helped hundreds of patients across the valley with their neurological conditions. He remains an active member of the medical community. He holds several professional affiliations, including the American Academy of Neurology, the Clark County Medical Society, the AANEM, and the Nevada State Medical Association. His commitment to his patients and community is at the heart of Neurocare of Nevada.
How Neurocare of Nevada Can Help
Don’t let migraine symptoms control your life. A diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan can make a profound difference. If you are struggling with frequent headaches or believe you may have migraines, contact Neurocare of Nevada today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Gobinder Chopra.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.