Headaches are very common and knowing the difference between a tension headache and a migraine can help you significantly in your treatment plan. 

Many times, people try to underplay a migraine. They assume that what they are experiencing is a tension or sinus headache. Tension headaches are mild and feel like a steady ache. Although the pain is uncomfortable – the person can still function during their day.

Migraines on the other hand include a moderate to severe pounding or throbbing headache that usually lasts four hours or more. Migraine symptoms also include sensitivity to sound and/or light, nausea or vomiting, and aura before onset.

Migraines affect people’s lives very significantly. About 40 million people in America experience regular migraines. They are also more common in women, with one in five women experiencing them.

Everyone has their own migraine triggers. Sun exposure, dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, changes in the weather, foods that contain MSG, chocolate and cheese are a few common triggers. A migraine patient should always pay attention to what they ate or did that day to help narrow down their trigger.

Treatment for Chronic Migraines
Migraines are considered chronic if they occur 15 days or more in a month. The exact cause of migraines is unknown, but researchers and doctors have found different treatments to help patients. One of these treatments is Botox®.

Botox (Botulinum toxin) is a preventive treatment that works by decreasing the chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. It is believed to stop the chemicals before they get to the nerve endings around your head and neck. It helps relax the muscles in the head and decreases the tension. 

Botox is injected in shallow muscles just beneath the skin using small needles. Each treatment typically involves 31 injections in the head and neck. Patients receive treatment every three months and have experienced very successful results with limited side effects.

To learn more about chronic migraine treatment at Freeman NeuroSpine – Neurology click here.  To schedule an appointment, call 417.347.7300.