I’ve been running an Odessa, MO migraine chiropractic clinic for years now. And I’ve seen many cases where patients experience chronic migraines.
If you’ve had migraine episodes for more than 15 days out of a month for three consecutive months, you’re likely experiencing chronic migraines. People who have this condition aren’t able to function well and carry out their daily tasks. Students miss school, and adults miss workdays.
To put things in perspective, migraines are ranked number six among the most disabling illnesses in the world. It as common as the flu but more debilitating because of how frequently attacks can happen.
Chronic migraines come with other conditions like depression, arthritis, and high blood pressure. They are unlike acute migraines, which involve less frequent attacks. And of course, the severe headaches are present.
This article will discuss chronic migraines, as well as the other types of this illness. After reading this, you should be able to have a better understanding of this often-overlooked condition.
The Other Migraine Types
Vestibular migraines
When that feeling of dizziness and vertigo accompanies your attack, you’re likely experiencing vestibular migraines. According to studies, around 40 percent of sufferers have vestibular migraines.
People with vestibular migraines have balance issues on top of the severe headaches. They experience varying triggers, which include food sensitivities. And while there are other forms of medication, for the most part, doctors suggest that patients with vestibular migraines visit a neurologist.
Optical Migraines
Otherwise known as ocular migraines or retinal migraines, optical migraines are attacks that entail other vision problems. They usually affect one eye only, and the good news is that the vision problems are reversible.
Optical migraines are a rare type that comes with an aura (visual disturbances) and include symptoms like loss of vision in one eye, scintillations, or seeing flashes of light. They may cause a blind spot or partial loss of vision, otherwise known as scotomata.
These vision problems usually occur around an hour before the head pain starts. However, some optical migraines bear no pain at all. And most likely, people who’ve experienced this type of migraine have also experienced other types of migraines in the past.
While doctors recommend light exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle for migraine sufferers, exhaustion may actually trigger an attack.
Complex Migraines
Unlike the other migraine forms, complex migraines aren’t really about the headaches. And while it is a general term used to describe this condition, it isn’t entirely accurate. Some people use this to describe migraines with aura.
Symptoms of complex migraines resemble that of a stroke, such as weakness, loss of vision, and trouble speaking.
Menstrual Migraines
By the word itself, it’s clear that this type of migraine is exclusively for women who aren’t in the menopausal stage yet. Around 60 percent of women experience menstrual migraines. These migraines may or may not have an aura and usually happen before, during, or after menstruation. Sometimes, attacks occur during ovulation.
Menstrual migraines are said to be more severe, with more episodes of nausea, and last longer than other types of migraines. These are commonly connected to the hormonal fluctuations that naturally occur during a woman’s monthly cycle.
Acephalgic Migraines
Acephalgic migraines are unlike any other condition on this list. Auras or headaches don’t accompany them. Instead, they happen amid a migraine with aura attack, but without the pain that follows.
For the most part, these migraines occur after the age of 40, with visual symptoms as the most common indicators. People who have this type of migraine go from one symptom to another. They also feel some weakness, experience speech issues, and are unable to move normally.
Stress Migraines
The International Headache Society doesn’t recognize this type of migraine. However, stress is a common trigger for a migraine attack.
Tension headaches strike due to stress. If they worsen, migraine attacks can follow.
One way to curb and even predict migraine attacks is by identifying your personal triggers. Jotting them down on a migraine diary is an effective method for tracking or discovering them.
As for stress-induced migraines, it’s good to incorporate calming exercises such as deep breathing exercises into your daily routine. A healthy, active lifestyle may also help in reducing stress and avoiding the migraine attacks that follow.
Natural Relief for Migraines
Over the years, researchers have found a connection between migraines and a previous head or neck injury. Whether these injuries come from car accidents, contact sports, or any other form of trauma, they cause misalignments in the spine’s vertebrae.
The C1 and C2 vertebrae, found in the upper part of the neck, are susceptible to misalignment. Otherwise known as the atlas and axis, both are responsible for protecting the brainstem from damage.
But once they move out of their proper positions, the brainstem endures unnecessary pressure. As a result, migraine attacks can ensue, leaving the afflicted person in utter discomfort.
But that is all correctable with the help of upper cervical chiropractic care. And unlike traditional chiropractic methods, upper cervical chiropractic does not involve the cracking or popping of the bones.
Here in my clinic, Odessa Chiropractic Center, I utilize a gentler yet more precise method to bring these bones back into alignment. Many of our patients report great results after receiving upper cervical chiropractic care.
I am proud to own one of the best Odessa, MO migraine chiropractic clinics in the business. If you’re interested in booking an appointment or a complimentary consultation, fill out our contact form or call me at (816) 633-5355.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kesemann, call our Odessa office at 816-608-5786. You can also 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.
