Vital TMS Therapy & Mental Health Services
Migraine Therapy Clinic located in Washington, DC.
Migraine pain is so severe it can be disabling, leaving you unable to do more than shut yourself away in the dark and endure the agony. Many patients who get migraines may benefit from medications, but these don’t always work and can cause side effects. If you’re struggling with migraines and medications aren’t the right approach, Vital TMS Therapy located in Washington DC provides an alternative. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a safe, painless, totally noninvasive treatment that uses magnetic energy to adjust your brain chemistry. To find out more about the benefits of TMS, call Vital TMS Therapy today or request an appointment online.
Migraines Q & A
What are migraines?
Migraines are headaches that are so severe it can make it impossible to function normally. People who have migraines often experience other symptoms as well, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Lightheadedness
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Sensitivity to touch and smells
Migraines usually affect one side of your head, making it throb or pound. A migraine attack could last for four hours or several days, and when they’re bad, all you can do is lie down somewhere dark and quiet, waiting for the storm to pass.
Before a migraine comes on, you might have signs that all isn’t well. Mood changes, digestive upsets, fatigue, and other symptoms can indicate a migraine is brewing, and you can learn to spot these signs.
Another symptom many migraine sufferers experience is aura. An aura causes visual problems that are coming from your nervous system. They can look like flashing lights in front of your eyes and affect your speech or your perception of touch as well.
What causes migraines?
Migraine pain seems to come from the trigeminal nerve in your head and your brain stem. The exact reason why migraines develop isn’t clear. There could be chemical imbalances in your brain, for instance. There are likely to be triggers for your migraine attacks, which could include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeinated drinks
- Stress
- Bright lights
- Sun glare
- Birth control pills
- HRT (hormone replacement therapy)
- Processed foods, salty foods, and aged cheeses
- Eating irregularly or fasting
- Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
- Monosodium glutamate (food preservative)
- Strong odors
- Problems managing stress
- Strong odors
- Too much or too little sleep
- Intense physical activity
- Changes in the weather
If you learn to identify which of these triggers is likely to bring on a migraine, you can take steps to avoid them.
What treatments are there for migraines?
Treatments for migraines tend to focus on medication. As well as pain-relieving medications, there are medications you can take to prevent a migraine, reduce the frequency of your migraines, or help ease the severity of your migraines. These medications include:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Triptans
- Anti-nausea medication
- Glucocorticoids
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Ergotamine and caffeine
- Lisinopril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Anti-seizure drugs
- Botox® injections
You might find that despite taking these medications, your migraines aren’t getting less severe or fewer in number. Some medications for migraines can cause side effects that you might find intolerable, or you might wish to try treatments that don’t involve taking medicines.
If you’re in this situation, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is an effective alternative to medication. TMS is painless, safe, and noninvasive, so no need for anesthetics, sedatives, or painkillers.
Many people find TMS to be highly beneficial in lowering and even eliminating migraine pain. To find out more, call Vital TMS Therapy today, or request an appointment online.
