Who is a migraine specialist?
Our migraine specialist is a general practitioner with a specialization in the treatment and prevention of migraines and severe headaches. In your consultation, the specialist will assess your symptoms and offer strategies to provide relief.

 

What are the signs of a migraine?
Migraines manifest as incapacitating conditions often marked by throbbing headaches persisting for hours to several days. These headaches are frequently accompanied by additional symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.

In severe cases, migraines can significantly impact daily life and reduce productivity both at home and in the workplace. Treatment options often involve medications, lifestyle adjustments, or a combination of both. Some typical features include:

– Pain localized to one side of the head
– Moderate to intense pulsating or throbbing pain that hinders daily activities
– Intense headaches accompanied by nausea and vomiting
– Sensitivity to light and sound
– Episodes lasting from 4 to 72 hours, occasionally extending beyond
– Preceding visual disturbances or aura (such as seeing black dots, wavy lines, flashes of light, and experiencing blind spots or disruptions in smell, taste, or touch) occurring 20 to 60 minutes before the headache onset.

 

At what age do migraine headaches usually manifest?
Migraine headaches tend to emerge between the ages of 15 to 55, exhibiting a higher prevalence in women, being three times more common than in men. Approximately 70-80% of individuals experiencing migraines have a familial history.

Additionally, these headaches may occur with greater frequency during the winter or periods of heightened stress. Although there is no definitive cure for migraines, both medical and non-medical interventions exist to diminish their frequency and intensity.

 

What commonly induces migraines?
Migraine episodes frequently arise due to specific triggers. These can encompass stress, fluctuations in weather, particular foods and drinks, and irregular routines.

Additional triggers may involve intense emotions, inadequate sleep, dehydration, withdrawal from caffeine, exposure to bright lights, loud noises, high temperatures, humidity, changes in barometric pressure, poor air quality, menstrual periods, and strenuous exercise, among various others. Maintaining a migraine diary to monitor these triggers can facilitate the specialist in tailoring effective assistance for your condition.

 

Is there a genetic component to migraines?
Research indicates that if members of your family suffer from migraines, there might be an elevated probability of you experiencing them too. In essence, there could be a genetic predisposition. It is advisable to inform the migraine specialist of any family history if present.

 

What is the typical duration of a migraine?
The duration of a migraine varies depending on its type, lasting anywhere from four to 72 hours and, in certain cases, even longer. Common symptoms comprise severe headaches, nausea, sensitivity to light, vomiting, sweating, and other associated manifestations.

 

Is it advisable to use medications for migraine management?
It is recommended to consult with a migraine specialist or general practitioner regarding the frequency and severity of your migraines. Medication might be prescribed in some instances, but a thorough review of your medical history is essential for the doctor to determine the suitability of the medication for your specific situation.

 

What are the commonly prescribed medications for migraines?
Laso MD offers the option of obtaining a migraine prescription online, determined at the doctor’s discretion based on your specific case. In Canada, prescribed migraine medications may include triptans like sumatriptan (Imitrex), which work to reduce overactive nerves in the brain triggered by migraines.

Additionally, anticonvulsants such as topiramate (Topamax) are prescribed to both treat and prevent migraines by restoring the normal balance of nerve activity. Another potential option discussed during your consultation could be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen (Naprosyn), which help block inflammation responsible for migraine pain.

 

How does a migraine differ from a regular headache?
A headache denotes pain in any region of your head, whereas a migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, pain typically on one side of the head (though occasionally both), and throbbing or pulsating head pain.

 

Is it possible to obtain a sick note for a migraine?
A doctor on Laso MD may issue a sick note for a migraine based on your individual case, subject to the doctor’s discretion.

 

What are the various types of migraines?

Migraines can manifest in several forms, each characterized by a distinct combination of symptoms:

1. Migraine with Aura: Features an aura appearing up to 30 minutes before the migraine, which may involve black dots, flashes of light, wavy lines, and more.
2. Migraine without Aura: Onset without an aura, accompanied by typical symptoms such as throbbing head pain on one side, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
3. Chronic Migraine: Occurs 15 days or more over a one-month period.
4. Vestibular Migraine: Combined with symptoms of vertigo, including dizziness and imbalance.
5. Abdominal Migraine: Primarily affecting children, causing abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
6. Menstrual Migraine: Occurs just before or during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
7. Retinal Migraine: Involves temporary vision loss in one eye due to reduced blood flow (narrowing blood vessels).
8. Brainstem Aura: A rare form originating in the brainstem, presenting symptoms like vertigo, ringing in the ears, and imbalance.
9. Hemiplegic Migraine: Resembles a stroke with symptoms including weakness, vision loss, and difficulty speaking.