Migraine Prevention & Treatment

Manage Your Symptoms, Manage Your Life

Migraine: Not Just A Headache

Migraine is a condition caused by blood vessel constriction and dilation in the brain and head, and is accompanied by a number of symptoms. The most commonly recognized symptom is headache, but migraine patients experience a whole host of other symptoms such as brain fog, nausea, irritability, anxiety, and insomnia. These non-headache symptoms are referred to as a migraine’s ‘aura’.

Migrainers are more sensitive to external stimuli than the average. You may find it difficult to tolerate bright lights, loud noises, highway traffic, or crowded places. You may also experience vertigo – the feeling that the room is spinning or that the ground is moving – or have trouble falling asleep because of small lights or sounds that others can easily tune out.

Migraine is a treatable condition, and here at NeuroGrow we have developed a holistic, multidisciplinary protocol to keep your symptoms at bay. The following interventions will attack the migraine at different angles to keep you happy, focused, and pain-free.

Many migraine patients have persistent difficulty with sleep, anxiety and irritability – with or without a headache. If you have these symptoms, you will most likely benefit from our Brain Fitness Program. 

Migraine Cluster

Migraine Prevention & Treatment Checklist

  • Read the book Heal Your Headache by Dr. David Buchholtz
    • Random foods (not just unhealthy ones) can trigger your migraine. While we do not recommend following the strict diet outlined by Dr Buchholtz, this book is an excellent resource for common migraine triggers
  • Sleep 8 hours a night
    • If you have difficulty sleeping, try Benadryl (25mg) with dinner for two weeks, then only as needed. You may also try melatonin (1.5-3mg) although the efficacy varies form person to person
    • If Benadryl and melatonin do not work, you may need prescription sleep medications for one month to get on track
  • Take MigraVent supplement
    • This OTC supplement can be found on Amazon, and contains feverfew, riboflavin, and magnesium, which have been found to reduce headache frequency.
  • Reduce environmental triggers for your migraine
    • Limit the amount of time driving in busy highways, looking at screens, and going to busy places
    • Limit exposure to bright or fluorescent lights; wear dark sunglasses
  • Reduce stress as much as possible
    • Practice meditation for 15-20 minutes, 5 days a week; Try HeadSpace for meditation training
    • Write down list of issues that need to be addressed, draft a plan to attack your life’s problems and obstacles (one step at a time)
    • Take medications (if needed)
  • Exercise regularly
    • Start with simple walking and set a goal of 40 minutes of vigorous exercise, 4 days/week
    • Find exercises you’d like and enjoy (Zumba class, swimming, walking with friends)
  • Take prescription migraine medication
    • Your neurologist may prescribe low dose prescription medication to reduce the frequency of your headaches. 
  • Avoid taking over the counter medications on a regular basis
    • No Excedrin, ibuprofen, Tylenol more than twice a week
    • If prescribed, take pain medication occasionally and only as needed

Still struggling with anxiety, insomnia, or brain fog? You may be a candidate for our  Brain Fitness Program, which can help sharpen your cognitive skills and make you calm and focused. To learn more, visit our Brain Fitness Program page or call our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fotuhi.