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Why Do I Get Migraines So Often?

Pain Management of Long Island Blog Why Do I Get Migraines So Often?
Why Do I Get Migraines So Often?

Around 40 million Americans suffer from migraines, with symptoms that can take a major toll on even the simplest daily activities. Worldwide, migraines rank as the third most common disease, according to the American Migraine Foundation. 

Many people experience episodic migraines — migraines that occur on an occasional basis. But about 2% of Americans suffer from chronic migraines, a debilitating condition that causes migraines on 15 or more days per month on average.

For anyone suffering from frequent migraines, finding a way to relieve symptoms and, ideally, reduce the frequency of migraine attacks is essential for improving overall health and quality of life. In this post, Mehran Golpariani, MD, of Pain Management of Long Island, explains the theories behind frequent migraine episodes and the available migraine treatments.

Migraines 101

Migraines are a neurological condition that causes a wide array of symptoms, including: 

Migraines can affect people in different ways, and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. What's more, even a single individual may experience migraines differently from one episode to the next. These differences make migraines difficult to treat with any standard, one-size-fits-all approach, underscoring the need for individualized care by an experienced provider.

While researchers don't (yet) have a complete understanding of migraines, data indicate migraines likely involve complex changes in brain chemistry and neural activity, along with changes in localized circulation. These changes lead to overstimulation of nerves that alter the way pain signals are produced and processed.

Most migraines follow a pattern involving multiple stages: 

Symptoms can vary during each stage, and may include fatigue, irritability, mood changes, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, brain fog, and neck or shoulder pain, as well as other symptoms.

Frequent migraines: Why they happen

People with frequent or chronic migraines experience heightened nerve stimulation regularly, resulting in recurrent migraine symptoms. Again, researchers are still learning about why chronic migraines occur and what factors prompt frequent attacks.

Genetics is one likely culprit. If migraines run in your family, you're far more likely to experience them regularly yourself. That could be because your brain is simply anatomically "wired" to react more intensely to specific triggers, making frequent episodes more likely.

Lifestyle and environmental triggers can also play a role. Many people find that their migraines are triggered by things like dehydration, poor eating habits, being around bright lights, strong smells, and evening changes in the weather. If you find yourself exposed to triggers regularly, you can wind up with more migraines, too.

Finally, your underlying health may play a role, too, including a history of:

Women tend to experience migraines far more than men, indicating a potential role for hormones, specifically estrogen. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) that affect hormone levels may cause chronic migraines, and so can changes during ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, and even perimenopause.

Find your solution

As a leading provider of pain management for people in and around Medford, New York, Pain Management of Long Island uses the most advanced techniques to help patients reduce migraine symptoms and prevent future attacks. 

In addition to medication to relieve symptoms and even reduce the frequency of your attacks, our team can suggest an interventional approach using occipital nerve blocks or Botox® therapy, depending on your needs. 

To learn how we can help you find a personal migraine solution, request an appointment online or over the phone today.