Migraines
Visit Reid Health for migraine diagnosis, treatment, and headache care. Learn how to tell migraines from headaches and get help today.
More than a bad headache
Migraines are a neurological disorder, not just a severe headache. They cause intense throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head, paired with sensitivity to light, sound, or smells.
At Reid Health, our neurology team helps you understand the difference between migraines and regular headaches, identify triggers, and build a plan to feel better and live more fully.
Symptoms of migraines
Common migraine symptoms include:
- One-sided throbbing or pounding head pain
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) or sound (phonophobia)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurred vision or other visual changes
- Aura signs (flashes, zig-zag lines, tingling) in some cases
- Discomfort made worse by normal physical activity
What if you have frequent headaches but not migraines?
Even if your pain doesn’t meet the full migraine criteria, frequent headaches can affect your quality of life and could be a sign of a different headache disorder.
Speak with your provider for a neurological assessment if:
- You have headaches many days of the month
- Over-the-counter medicines aren’t helping
- Your daily routines are being affected
Early assessment can help determine whether you have tension-type headaches, chronic headaches, or migraines and find the right treatment path.
Treatment and prevention options
Reid Health Neurology offers both acute care during a migraine attack and preventive care to reduce frequency and severity. Treatments include:
- Medications for relief during an attack ( triptans, NSAIDs)
- Preventive medications if you have frequent migraines
- Lifestyle strategies such as regular sleep, hydration, avoiding known triggers, managing stress
- Neurologist-led evaluation to determine if your headaches are migraines or another type of headache disorder