Did you know that women are more susceptible to chronic headaches and migraines? And not just because our families and jobs are driving us nuts, either.
Migraine headaches are reported to be 2-3 times more prevalent in women compared to men. To find out more and to find out why, we made an appointment with Dr. Ki S. Jung, Neurologist at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates, to get the facts on whether it’s an Advil situation or maybe something more.
The good news is – you don’t need to suffer, there are treatments available but it all starts with diagnosing what’s actually going on.
What Is the Difference Between a Migraine and a Headache?
Class is in session, let’s start with the basics: migraine headaches are a specific type of headache, often showing the same, repeating symptoms including duration and severity each time.
There are many headache disorders but a few other common ones to know about are:
· Tension
· Cervicogenic (headaches coming from cervical spinal conditions)
· Medication overuse headaches (aka ‘rebound headaches’)
· Migraines
We probably all have heard that a migraine is worse than a run-of-the-mill headache; it can be extremely painful and is considered a primary headache disorder. Migraines can be debilitating and come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and light/sound sensitivity.
Take the Three-Question Test to Answer If It’s a Migraine
The ID Migraine Validation study (Aug 2003) is a three-question test to help identify if it is a migraine. If you answer ‘yes’ to at least two of the questions, there’s a 90% chance you are experiencing a migraine headache.
1. Has a headache limited your activities for a day or more in the last three months?
2. Are you nauseated or do you vomit when you have a headache?
3. Does light bother you when you have a headache?
Dr. Jung says, “It’s often a change in characteristics of your headaches that should prompt you to get a neurological evaluation, for example if they become more severe, if new associated symptoms present, if the duration changes, etc.”.
Dr. Jung adds that “If you’re not a ‘headache person,’ but begin experiencing an onset of headaches and especially if you are aged 50 years or more, you should see a neurologist.”
“It can be extremely difficult to tell if there’s something more serious going on when someone has severe headaches. This is why it is important to speak up and discuss your symptoms with your doctor or neurologist about your headaches,” said Dr. Jung. There are specific characteristics about migraine headaches that can help your neurologist make the diagnosis.
Are Hormones and Age a Factor?
The short answer is yes.
Some women develop migraine headaches during puberty or perimenopause. The changes and fluctuations in estrogen can often trigger migraine headaches. The same is true for hormone replacement therapy and oral contraception pills.
Hormones can be a double-edged sword for women who have migraine and chronic headaches. “Sometimes hormone therapy triggers or worsens headaches, and other times it may help reduce the frequency of headaches,” says Dr. Jung.
Your best bet is to make an appointment with a neurologist to help you pinpoint the cause.
Is There a Migraine-Friendly Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Once your type of headache has been identified there are options to bring you relief.
Medications are often used to help prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine headaches, as well as to treat them when they occur. Sometimes you’ll be prescribed both to help reduce the number that occur and to help with the severity when they do.
Dr. Jung says, “There are a variety of medications available for treatment. There are also various holistic therapies, including vitamin supplements, acupuncture, exercise, and lifestyle modifications.”
Don’t Get A Migraine Mixed Up with a Stroke
May is stroke awareness month… what’s that got to do with headaches you ask?
Well, migraines are not always just severe headaches. Sometimes people can have what is known as a ‘migraine without a headache’. Sounds strange, right?
A migraine is a chemical process that takes place in your brain, where the end result is usually ‘just’ a severe headache — this is what happens approximately 90% of the time.
But sometimes symptoms including visual disturbances occur, like zig-zag lines, starbursts, or kaleidoscope vision, as well as dizziness/vertigo, concentration/mental status changes, slurred speech, numbness/tingling, or weakness of one side of the body.
These are stroke-like symptoms. If any of those symptoms occur, seek medical help right away.
Dr. Jung explained that sometimes these symptoms could indicate that you are having a stroke, and other times, you may be experiencing a specific type of migraine (aptly called a ‘complicated migraine’) that occurs about 10% of the time, where you have stroke-like symptoms without the headache pain.
Bottom line: Only a neurologist can help make that determination by taking an accurate history, thorough neurological examination, and neurological testing.
If you’ve experienced headache symptoms for more than three months, that’s considered a chronic condition and it’s time to make an appointment.
The most important thing is to find someone who is obviously knowledgeable, but who also listens – headaches are a serious issue and you need to make sure you’re heard.
If you are suffering from chronic headaches, or experiencing severe and unexplained headaches, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our subject matter expert. Board-certified and fellowship-trained neurologist, Dr. Ki S. Jung has more than 18 years of experience helping patients with neurological disorders and has earned an outstanding reputation in the region. Dr. Jung now offers neurology services and neuro-diagnostic testing in the Huntersville location of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates.
He performs on-site neuro-diagnostic testing as needed and has the expertise to diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and other issues of the nervous system.
Dr. Jung also helps patients who need treatment or testing related to headaches, stroke, dementia, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and neuromuscular diseases. He offers neuro-diagnostic testing including EMG/NCS and EEG.
CLICK HERE to request an appointment online or call Dr. Jung’s Neurology Clinic directly at (704) 831-4145. Dr. Jung is accepting new patients and has near immediate availability. Patients do not need an initial referral to request an appointment.
ABOUT CAROLINA NEUROSURGERY & SPINE ASSOCIATES
Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates is one of the oldest and largest private neurosurgical practices in the country. Their group includes 48 board-certified or board-eligible physicians in the specialty areas of neurosurgery, physical medicine & rehabilitation (physiatry), Neurology and physical therapy. They provide advanced surgical and nonsurgical treatment for the entire spectrum of brain, spine, and peripheral nerve system, including brain tumors, spine injuries, stroke, epilepsy, birth defects, concussions, neck and lower back pain, and pituitary tumors.
Learn more about their locations and services by visiting cnsa.com or call (704) 376-1605
