Many patients visit our migraine chiropractic center in Norton Shores, Michigan, for help with their headaches. They have several symptoms indicating that they are dealing with migraines, but they aren’t quite sure if it’s not a headache after all. If you often complain of severe head pain but aren’t sure what you have, we’re here to help.
Note that these two symptoms vary in multiple ways. To be able to distinguish one from the other, a good place to start is by learning about the symptoms. We’ve listed below eight of the most common symptoms of migraines. At the end of the article is a natural type of care that can help manage or even eliminate symptoms altogether.
Table of Contents
A headache is the hallmark symptom of migraines, and about 85% of episodes involve throbbing or pulsing head pain. This is a defining difference between the two health issues. However, not all migraines include a headache. It may be the most common symptom, but it doesn’t mean it always has to be present.
About 3 in 5 migraineurs experience pain on one side of the head. However, it is a common misconception that migraines only bring one-sided head pain. About 2 in 5 patients experience pain on both sides of the head. A headache felt on both sides of the head could still be migraines as long as it occurs with other symptoms of the neurological disorder.
Sensory sensitivities are also common in migraineurs, especially light sensitivity. Sound and smell sensitivities are also prevalent among people with migraines. Bright lights, strong smells, and loud sounds can trigger an episode. These sensitivities combined with other symptoms can make life miserable. For this reason, many people choose to stay in a dark, quiet room whenever an episode sets in.
Double vision, blurred vision, and even temporary loss of vision can occur during an episode. Almost half of the patients experience these vision changes, and they may come even without a headache. If you have the ocular type, you may only experience vision changes in one eye. Vision loss lasts for about 30 to 60 minutes. Doctors often recommend patients undergo an eye exam to rule out any possible physical problem with the eye.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and migraines, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Some people find neck pain to be a surprising symptom. Even doctors do not commonly ask about neck pain when patients complain of migraines. For this reason, neck pain is an often overlooked sign, even if it preludes or occurs during an attack. Neck pain and migraines have some connection, and we will explain more about that in the last part of this post. Neck pain relief may also bring on lasting relief.
This is another common symptom especially for people who experience vestibular migraines. It can be due to the pain itself or the combination of migraines and vertigo.
About 20-30% of patients vomit during an episode. Vomiting does not always happen, but it’s always a good idea to keep a container nearby during an attack in case you feel like throwing up.
Between 20-30% of patients experience sensory disturbances called an aura. Those who experience migraines with aura are at higher risk for related conditions such as general anxiety disorders and clinical depression. An aura is often a series of visual symptoms that last for 20 to 30 minutes and occur before an attack. Patients may see flashes of light, spots, or wavy lines.
We know for sure that people with chronic migraines want to find a permanent solution to their condition. Many patients opt for a natural remedy that does not involve medications and the unpleasant side effects that may come with them. Fortunately, many patients have found relief through upper cervical chiropractic care.
Daily exercise, avoidance of triggers, and sleeping enough at night help alleviate episodes. But sometimes these lifestyle adjustments are not enough. When these steps don’t seem to help much, note that there are other options available to care for migraines in Norton Shores.
One of them is upper cervical chiropractic care. It is a unique type of chiropractic care that focuses in the two top bones of the spine (C1 and C2 vertebrae).
Upper cervical chiropractors use diagnostic imaging and various exams to determine if a misalignment exists and to get precise measurements of the angle of misalignment in the upper cervical spine.
If misalignment exists, they employ a gentle adjustment that is customized to the needs of each patient. These adjustments are long-lasting and allow the body more time to heal from the damage caused by the misalignment.
A misalignment of either the C1 or C2 vertebra can result in a disruption in brainstem function and the flow of blood and cerebreal spinal fluid to and from the brain. These factors can contribute to the development of migraines.
Upper cervical chiropractic does more than manage symptoms. It resolves the underlying cause of migraines in some people, especially those who have experienced head or neck trauma in the past.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve mentioned above, especially if you have a history of neck or head trauma, we strongly urge you to try upper cervical chiropractic care as a possible solution. Schedule a consultation here at Zehr Chiropractic, a migraines chiropractic center in Norton Shores, Michigan.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
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