If you believe stress triggers your migraines, you are not alone. Four out of five people who suffer migraines report stress as a primary cause of migraine attacks.  Sometimes a migraine occurs during a period of relaxation after a period of high stress. In fact, a study in 2014 found that migraineurs who experienced stress reduction from one day to the next were significantly more likely to have a migraine the next day, which seems totally not fair! Researchers believe changes in the level of certain brain chemicals, like serotonin, that regulate pain may cause migraines. Stress ca ..read more

Most people spend the majority of their day at work. Because one in four women and one in sixteen men suffer from migraines, the probability is high that you have employees who are migraineurs — people who get migraines. Upwards of 113 million workdays are lost to migraines annually, and the total indirect costs associated with migraine is around $19.3 billion, 81% of which can be attributed to absenteeism. However, migraines also impact “presenteeism.” An employee may be at work, but their productivity lags. Over three-quarters of migraineurs report a migraine makes them less productive at w ..read more

Migraine attacks are no joke. Even if you suffer chronic migraines and use lifestyle choices and preventative medication, you can still suffer an attack that requires abortive treatment. Abortive treatment is an acute migraine treatment to shorten or stop the symptoms of a migraine attack. Acute treatments are meant to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible so you can go about your day or at least get you home in one piece for further head pain resolution.  Acute migraine treatments should relieve your pain within two to four hours and have you functioning normally in three to ..read more

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting the brain and spinal cord. Some of the symptoms in the early stages are similar to migraine attacks, leading to diagnosing challenges and suggesting a potential connection between MS and migraines. Some research shows people with MS experience more headaches, including migraines, compared to the general population. Around 30%  of people with MS report experiencing migraine, while the percentage for the general population is about half that. There is a higher prevalence of migraine and MS in American and Af ..read more

What if stopping a migraine in its tracks was as simple as inhaling? Abortive migraine medication in the form of a nasal spray makes it a possibility. Nasal mist medications are nothing new, and sprays containing migraine treatment have been available for some time. The list includes triptans, ergotamine, and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory called ketorolac.  Here is an overview of migraine treatments in nasal spray form. Types of Migraine Medication Migraine medication consists of two types - abortive and preventative. Abortive medications begin to ease migraine symptoms during an acut ..read more

We've long known about dietary triggers for migraines. Still, in a spot of good news, research suggests a link between dietary fiber and migraine attacks. A study published in Frontiers of Nutrition shows that lacking dietary fiber could contribute to migraines.  Unfortunately, most people take in less than the daily recommended volume of fiber, which could increase the frequency, severity, and duration of migraine attacks among the 18% of the global population who experience migraines.  Skipping meals and poor eating habits can drive migraine attack frequency and severity. If you f ..read more

As if having a period isn't enough, some women also suffer migraines during their "time of the month." Aptly named menstrual migraine, this condition is triggered solely by shifting estrogen levels that may interact with serotonin or other brain chemicals to cause head pain and migraine other symptoms. It makes sense, then, that nearly 70% of migraineurs are women. Of that group, 60% and 70% report a connection between their menstrual cycle and migraine attacks. Unfortunately, menstrual migraines may not respond as readily to typical treatments and preventatives.  What does a menstrual m ..read more

More than 1.2 million Americans visit emergency rooms every year because of migraines. If you suffer from migraines, particularly if it’s a chronic condition, you may wonder when or if you should seek assistance at the ER.  Going to the ER means seeing a physician unfamiliar with your condition and may result in ineffective treatment. However, there are serious signs that should tell you that the problem requires emergency treatment. Find out when to get emergency treatment for your migraine below. What Causes Migraines? Each migraineur has a unique set of triggers, but there are commona ..read more

According to Dr. Bert Vargas, Director of the Sports Neurology and Concussion Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center, 95% of individuals suffering from a concussion experience post-traumatic headache, and about two-thirds of those will experience migraine symptoms or features.  A concussion is considered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), although relatively minor. Someone with a concussion has a high probability of post-traumatic headache (PTH), although not necessarily a migraine. Most concussion symptoms resolve within three to six weeks, including headache symptoms. If the symptoms l ..read more

Migraine pain and symptoms affect 29.5 million women in the US; about one-fifth of those suffer migraines aggravated by hormonal shifts. They also most commonly suffer migraines between the ages of 20 and 45. Almost half report experiencing a migraine before their reproductive years end.  In other words, many women have migraines during their prime child-bearing age and some are sensitive to hormonal shifts. Since fertility treatment often means messing with a woman’s hormones, it follows that those women might find that they suffer more migraines while under assisted reproductive care ..read more