If you are a migraine sufferer in Gaithersburg MD you know just how painful and debilitating it can be when a migraine takes hold. Not everyone has exactly the same experience, but pain is usually the main feature. One migraine headache has the potential to completely ruin your day, but there are some tips from a Gaithersburg MD chiropractor you can follow to help make it a little easier.

What Is a Migraine?

If you’ve been diagnosed with migraines it means you get headaches that last between 4 and 72 hours with pain that is rated moderate to severe. In order to be classified as a migraine the headache must have two of the following characteristics:

• Moderate to severe pain
• Unilateral location
• Pulsating pain
• Made worse by normal activities like walking

It must also have at least one of the following:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Nausea and/or vomiting

Once you’ve had five attacks with these criteria and the headaches aren’t attributed to a more serious health condition, you’ll be diagnosed as a migraine sufferer. Roughly 28 million people in the United States suffer from migraines and about three out of four are female. Many migraine sufferers will see auras in their field of vision before a migraine comes on.

Helpful Prevention Tips

It’s not always possible to prevent migraines, but if you have any known triggers it’s wise to stay away from them. Some common headache triggers include certain foods, bright lights, loud noises, certain scents, lack of sleep, dehydration, high levels of stress, and poor posture. If you notice that a migraine comes on or auras are triggered by one of the above factors, do your best to avoid it and see if your migraine frequency is reduced. Visiting a Gaithersburg MD chiropractic clinic for treatment can also be an effective preventative measure.