Around 35 million Americans suffer from migraines each year. The type of headache that is classified as a migraine is the second most common type. These are far more debilitating than tension headaches and typically last for longer periods of time. 25% of women suffer a migraine at least once and 8% of men. Often many people who experience chronic or infrequent migraines go undiagnosed and go throughout their day with debilitating pain.
Symptoms
Migraine pain is typically felt in the face or neck and feels like a dull or persistent pounding or throbbing. Dizziness and sensitivity to light and sound also occur during an attack. Disorientation, difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting, and irritability are other common symptoms. Since many adults experience migraines often, they often go about their day with symptoms that can make it hard to focus or work.
Common Causes
The exact cause of these intense headaches can be hard to pinpoint and there is a broad range of what individuals report causes or trigger their symptoms. Studies have shown that spine misplacement or past injuries in the back or neck are key factors. Other common causes of severe migraines can be triggered by stress, poor diet, and eating habits, hormonal changes, interrupted sleep patterns, changes in medication, or excessive or lack of physical activity. Noticing these triggers can help prevent more consistent headaches or stop them together.
Migraines occur in all people but the following are at higher risk:
- Women
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders
- People with a family history of migraines
- Those with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems
- Those who are unemployed
After you have noticed what causes your headaches or determined you are in a higher risk group, chiropractic treatment should be considered when nothing else is helping your symptoms.
Children Vs. Adults
While adults may report these intense headaches more often, children also experience them. Children often go undiagnosed but around 1 out of 10 children have these intense headaches and about 3 out of 10 teens have them. Although adult headaches are more common in adult women, boys are more likely to have migraine attacks before puberty. Some research has linked infant colic to developing headaches.
More About Migraines
The commonality of severe headaches should make their indicators and awareness of the disease grow, but individuals might not know what takes place during a migraine. 9 out of 10 people work or perform other daily activities during an attack. Those who have these intense headache attacks experience them one to two times a month so it is almost second nature to work while they are happening.
Migraine-related sick days and incidents cost the U.S. economy about $36 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost productivity. Employers and other co-workers may assume that these headaches are not that debilitating, but they often can cause dizziness and nausea which can be hard to push through in day-to-day situations. Also, because of light and sound sensitivity, they are often hard to deal with during daylight hours and while working in an office.
Treating Migraines with Elevate Wellness
With today’s medical advancements and holistic treatments, suffering from migraines can be treated. Don’t let headaches take over your life. As stated above, spinal misalignment is often the cause of these intense headaches and helps resolve other issues in your body. Trusting Elevate Wellness Chiropractic with your chiropractic care can get you back to full functioning order and improve your quality of life. Rehabilitation is possible with consistent chiropractic treatment and using our spinal decompression methods. If you have tried other methods of treatment with little to no relief, chat with us about how chiropractic treatment can help you.
