What are the typical signs of a migraine episode? Can an atlas bone adjustment help relieve chronic migraine attacks? Is it possible for migraines to worsen with age? These questions are just among the many queries of a migraineur. Can you relate to one or two of these queries? Read on to know the rest of the migraine FAQs and discover what you can do to prevent your symptoms from taking control of your life.
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There isn’t an easy way to describe migraine pain. That’s because the symptoms greatly vary in each patient. In most cases, migraine causes a throbbing or pulsating feeling on one side of the head. However, some patients report migraine pain on both sides. Patients who seek an atlas bone adjustment for migraine relief also report additional complaints such as dizziness, vertigo, photophobia, fatigue, and sound sensitivity.
Unknown to many patients, migraine attacks can sometimes cause aura or visual and sensory disturbances. While studies have yet to grasp why this happens, about a quarter of migraineurs report sensory problems during their episode. Some examples of these so-called disturbances include:
When was the last time you experienced a migraine attack? If you recently had an episode, you likely noticed intense mood swings and even bouts of anxiety or depression. Sudden mood swings often come hand in hand with migraines because of the condition’s effects on several neurotransmitters, including the following:
Studies have found that serotonin levels in patients with migraines reach abnormally low levels. This leads to increased anxiety, sleep disruptions, and depression.
Dopamine has gained popularity as the feel-good hormone. Sadly, brain scans show that people who experience frequent migraines also have fluctuating dopamine levels in the blood, causing them to feel sad and unmotivated to do things.
Glutamic acid and GABA (another neurotransmitter) play a crucial role in controlling brain activity. Glutamic acid, the ionized form of glutamate (a common ingredient in seasoning like MSG), excites nerve roots and increases risks for chronic and severe headaches and other migraine symptoms.
We often remind patients who seek atlas bone adjustment for migraines to look for early warning signs of an attack. One example of this includes yawning. Headache specialists explain that yawning is a classic symptom of the prodrome phase – the initial stage of a migraine episode. There isn’t enough study to explain the connection between migraines and yawning. However, it’s helpful to take notice of this migraine so you can anticipate an episode and prevent the onset of worsening symptoms.
Some patients confuse migraines with sinus headaches because of nasal congestion. In fact, around 90 percent of self-diagnosed sinus headaches are actually migraine attacks. Notably, some migraineurs experience this symptom with watery eyes, runny nasal discharge, and facial pressure. If you are not sure whether you have a sinus headache or migraine attack, here are key questions you should ask yourself:
If you answer yes to these questions, we strongly suggest seeking a proper diagnosis from your doctor or headache specialist. This way, you can identify the best remedy to use.
Because migraine attacks can cause so much pain, they sometimes trigger unpleasant digestive problems like nausea and vomiting. You might experience these symptoms in any of the distinct migraine phases.
Several patients have reported sudden food cravings before the headache phase of a migraine attack. Some people claim they want to eat something savory and salty, while others want to get their hands on a sugary and decadent dessert. Have you had these cravings before an episode? Doctors explain that this might have something to do with nutritional deficiencies and hormonal imbalances.
Frequent peeing is another symptom of the prodrome phase of a migraine episode. While studies have yet to clarify why this happens, it is a common problem for many migraineurs.
Doctors, headache specialists, and upper cervical chiropractors describe caffeine as a double-edged sword for migraineurs. If you noticed, most medications used for migraine headaches contain a small amount of caffeine. That’s because caffeine leads to vasoconstriction, which can sometimes aid in regulating blood pressure in the brain.
However, sometimes, excessive caffeine intake can lead to problems. This is especially true if you have already developed a strong dependency on caffeine. When you fail to meet your usual dose of caffeinated products, your blood pressure fluctuates, causing you to become highly susceptible to an attack.
Physical overexertion is a common trigger of migraine. In fact, around 38 percent of patients associate their painful and debilitating episodes with physically taxing activities. If you experience the same issue, we suggest pacing yourself when engaging in rigorous activities.
Neck pain is a widely reported migraine symptom. That’s because tight muscles in the neck area can affect blood flow to the brain. Additionally, it can affect intracranial pressure and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Most patients who experience migraine episodes with neck pain have a history of whiplash, neck trauma, and concussion. Unknown to most migraineurs, postural imbalances in the cervical spine are among the leading triggers of a debilitating episode.
Thousands of migraineurs seek an atlas bone adjustment for migraine relief. Primarily, this approach works by eliminating misalignments in the C1 and C2 bones. Once a neck chiropractor corrects the postural problem, its adverse effects, such as increased intracranial pressure, brainstem irritation, and poor blood flow, get canceled out.
If you frequently experience migraine attacks and have noticeable neck pain, we strongly suggest seeking a nearby upper cervical doctor. Feel free to locate the nearest practice today so you can start working on your C1 and C2 bone misalignments and achieve lasting migraine relief.
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TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
