Is It Normal to Suffer from Migraines?

Migraine episodes seem to be such a common part of life for some people that they learn to accept and live with them. However, migraines are not normal and should never happen according to medical professionals. Their exact cause is unknown, but for those who suffer, what is known is that the pain of migraines is intense and often accompanied by:

• Severe headaches
• Sensitivity to sound, light, and odor
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pulsing or throbbing, often only on one side of the head

Migraine episodes usually last anywhere from 2 to 72 hours. Most of the time, those who have these attacks want to shut themselves away in a quiet, dark room until the pain subsides. This is not a normal part of life. Rather, it is the body’s way of telling one that something is wrong. In severe cases, medical attention should be sought immediately. Here are some symptoms that should not be ignored. Rather, they warrant a visit to the emergency room:

• A chronic headache that becomes worse after exertion, straining, sudden movement, or coughing
• A headache that is accompanied by stiff neck, seizures, weakness, confusion, numbness, trouble speaking, double vision, or fever
• A sudden, severe headache described as a thunderclap
• A new type of a headache if one is over 50 years of age
• A headache that develops after a head trauma, particularly if it gets worse

Where to Turn for Migraine Episodes Help

A general practitioner will often prescribe certain medications to help those with non-life-threatening migraines. However, these often come with unwanted side effects and, in the long run, may actually make migraines worse.

One area that has seen much success in alleviating migraines is that of upper cervical chiropractic care. This is a specific form of chiropractic that does not require popping or twisting of the spine. The focus is on using a gentle method to help realign the bones of the upper neck. This is often the root cause of migraine episodes. It is very mild procedure that has shown itself to help migraine sufferers.

About the Author

Dr. Geoff Besso, DC, DCCJP

Besso Clinic of Chiropractic

Dr. Geoff Besso graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. Following his bachelor’s degree he enrolled at the prestigious Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. After a four year intensive program, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2002. He became an upper cervical chiropractor in Stow in 2005. Dr. Besso and his wife, Amy Besso, DC, opened their practice in Stow, Ohio, in 2005 and have been blessed to help thousands of patients with conditions ranging from Fibromyalgia to Migraine Headaches to Meniere’s Disease.