The Possible Dangers of Driving with Migraines

migraine, upper cervical

Migraine is among the most debilitating conditions today. It stems from all kinds of problems and causes severe problems for individuals, especially those who lead busy lives. From mild headaches to full-blown migraine attacks, the severity of the symptoms can significantly depend on the quality of your upper cervical health. Even tiny issues with your spine adversely affect your overall health, pain tolerance, and ability to combat ailments and diseases.     

What makes it extra alarming is the fact that it can also be quite unpredictable. You may wake up feeling fine but suddenly find yourself in bed because of throbbing sensations in your head. On top of that, dealing with migraines can come with complications if you navigate your episodes while doing activities like driving.

This article will cover some possible dangers of driving with migraines and how they could affect your ability to confidently and safely operate cars. Also, we encourage you to read on to understand how you can potentially avoid or manage headaches with the help of an upper cervical doctor.

Photophobia

This is one of the most common symptoms among people who suffer from migraines. It's also a major risk factor for people who make a living by driving cars or other types of vehicles. Photophobia causes sensitivity to light which can be extremely distracting while driving because it makes you squint or close your eyes altogether. It can also make driving during daytime unbearable, as the sun rays and glare from other cars can quickly come through the windshield.

Phonophobia

Another classic symptom of migraine is phonophobia, or the intolerance to noise which can make driving difficult or even impossible. Driving requires alertness and attentiveness to avoid accidents that can pose risks to you, the passengers in your car, and other people on the road. But how can you do so when your hearing becomes temporarily impaired, or you feel distracted by the noise from honking vehicles around you? How will you be able to hear or focus on the horns and whistles, which are some of the most commonly used road signals today?

Nausea and vomiting

Motion sickness is a fairly common problem among travelers. Studies note that 1 out of 3 individuals experience nausea and vomiting while on the road. Now, it's one thing when a passenger feels nauseous and vomiting in the back seat. However, it's an entirely different situation when the driver suddenly feels disoriented because of spinning sensations!

Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of migraines and can make driving dangerous by causing dizziness and disorientation. This makes it harder to focus on the road.

Visual Aura

You may experience temporary blindness or blurred vision if you have a visual aura. The visual atmosphere can last several minutes or even hours before the headache begins. If you are driving during this time, it could be dangerous. You should pull over immediately and wait for the aura to pass before resuming your drive. However, it's crucial to note that an aura lasting longer than 30 minutes may indicate a more severe problem, such as a stroke or hypertension. If you have these signs, make haste and call 911.

migraine, upper cervical

Slower reflexes

Migraines can cause slower reflexes and reaction times, making it difficult to operate vehicles safely at high speeds or navigate heavy traffic. If you are driving with migraines, adjust your speed accordingly to give yourself plenty of time to react appropriately when something unexpected happens on the road ahead of you.

Additionally, avoid driving at night when visibility is poor. This might increase your risk of swerving on the road, bumping another car, or hitting traffic barricades.

Dizziness

It is important for people who suffer from migraines to avoid driving when this symptom occurs. Dizziness is a common symptom associated with migraine attacks, but it can also occur in other conditions, such as vertigo or inner ear infections. If you experience dizziness while driving, find the nearest stop and wait for the episode to calm down. Additionally, it would help to evaluate your condition before continuing on your journey to avoid untoward incidents.

Tinnitus

The ringing or buzzing sound that many people with migraines hear in their ears. This ringing can become so loud that it drowns out other sounds like sirens or honking cars, making it difficult for people with tinnitus to hearing what's happening while behind the wheel.

 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Migraine Management

If you've been suffering from migraines, you may have tried all kinds of remedies but experienced little to no relief. You're not alone! As per the American Migraine Foundation, more than 37 million Americans experience migraines.

One alternative option you can try to manage your symptom is upper cervical chiropractic care. While many people have heard about this type of care plan for back pain relief, few realize it can also help relieve migraines and lessen their severity or occurrence.

Chiropractic care helps relieve migraine symptoms by correcting spinal misalignments that may be causing or triggering your headaches in the first place. These misalignments can occur when the bones in your neck become misaligned due to trauma or repetitive movements like poor posture. As a result of this misalignment, you may experience neck pain or stiffness, which may radiate down into your shoulders or arms and then lead to headaches like migraines if left untreated for too long.

The best way to experience this migraine relief form is through a professional upper cervical chiropractor. You can get hold by checking out the Upper Cervical Awareness Doctors' Directory. You'll find all the information you need about the doctors and their practices, and it's up to you whom to choose to help you with your migraine problems.

 

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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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.

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