Chronic migraines can feel like a punishment, and they can unfortunately come around far more often than you’d like. However, those who suffer from them may not understand what is happening within their own body which can make them feel helpless about making changes. Learn more about whether or not you have it, the types of people it affects and their common triggers.
The International Headache Society classifies it as anyone who has 15 or more headaches a month that last 4 hours or more, of which 8 or more of those are migraines. A migraine is characterized by a throbbing in the head that normally only affects one side, typically coupled with some type of stomach nausea or trouble seeing or speaking.
This tends to affect people between the ages of 25 and 55. While women are more likely to get them than men, no one is immune and even young children may get them. A large percentage of people suffer from migraines, but less than 1% of people suffer from the chronic condition at between 3 and 4 million people in the US (depending on your source.) It’s worth noting that sometimes people are misdiagnosed though, so there could be more people out there with this condition. For those who have them, it can be especially difficult because family or friends may not understand the severity that a headache entails. It is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits, and those who get them take an average of 63 days off of work or school over three months.
It’s unclear exactly what causes migraines, which is bound to be disappointing news for everyone. However, there are certain factors that seem to be the causes. There are often environmental factors that are to blame such as moderate to severe weather changes (e.g., air pressure drop, humidity increase, etc) or if you have a good deal of stress in your life. You may get them if you’re sleeping less than 6 hours a night or over 8 hours a night. It can also be a withdrawal symptom if you’ve given up caffeine for the week or you may experience it if you’ve been skipping meals.
If you’ve been relying on headache medicine, then you may want to rethink your strategy. In fact, close to 3 in 4 people with migraines end up taking far too much which can be extremely unhealthy for your body. Instead, you’ll want to find a professional who has experience with these debilitating types of headaches. Dr. Smith has been studying this topic for decades and has found a common thread with the vast majority of his patients. By employing his technique, he’s managed to eliminate migraines from close to 90% of his patients. If you’re suffering from this disease, there is no reason not to see him and give it a try. Make an appointment today.
Sources:
https://www.mychronicmigraine.com/chronic-migraine-numbers
https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/
At the Smith Sinus Migraine Institute, we offer the very best in facial plastic surgery procedures, including facelift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Led by renowned board certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Kevin Smith, we only provide the highest quality patient care and use only the latest in medical technology and surgical techniques.
