The throbbing, pulsing pain of a migraine can take away your quality of life. At Schwartz Medical Group in Norwood, Massachusetts, Melvin J. Schwartz, MD, and the expert primary care team specializes in diagnosing and treating migraines and headaches. Whether you need medication therapy or have to make changes to your lifestyle to prevent disruptive migraine pain, Dr. Schwartz develops a custom treatment plan to address your needs and help you stay healthy. End your migraine struggle today by calling the office for an appointment or booking online.
A migraine is a recurring headache, often causing moderate to severe, throbbing pain. While you can experience a migraine on only one side of your head, you may have pain on both sides, accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
Many that experience migraines also find they become more sensitive to light and sounds, making it difficult to work or engage in their usual activities.
You may get migraines because of a genetic predisposition to this type of painful headache. Migraine causes aren't well understood, but they may be triggered by your environment, age-related issues, or frequent stress.
Other common triggers of migraines include:
Certain mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder, may also influence your chances of developing migraines.
Women may be at a higher risk for developing migraines than men, especially during pregnancy, menopause, or during other phases of hormonal changes.
Dr. Schwartz can determine if your headaches are migraines based on their severity and your symptoms. He may recommend diagnostic imaging to rule out other conditions that may cause migraine-like pain and other symptoms.
There currently isn't a cure for migraines. The goal of treatment is to reduce your pain and prevent future episodes.
Initially, Dr. Schwartz may recommend using over-the-counter migraine medications and anti-inflammatories to alleviate pain. It would help if you also spent time in a quiet, dark room with your eyes closed to keep you comfortable. Stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, can also help relax your body and reduce pain.
If your migraines continue to interfere with your life, Dr. Schwartz may prescribe medications to prevent the frequency of attacks. Through routine checkups, he can determine your medication therapy's effectiveness and monitor changes in your migraines and overall health.
You can also make changes to your lifestyle to reduce your risk for migraines, such as eating a healthy diet, getting daily exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. It's also essential you get good-quality sleep every night.
To get expert help managing your migraine symptoms, call Schwartz Medical Group or use the online booking tool.
