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Condition

Migraines and Chronic Headache

Migraines are more than bad headaches. They are a neurological condition that can take you out for hours or days, and chronic headache affects millions of adults every year.

Overview

A migraine is a recurring headache driven by changes in nerve signaling, blood flow, and inflammation in the brain. Most people feel it on one side of the head as a throbbing or pulsing pain, often with nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity.

Chronic migraine is defined as headaches 15 or more days a month for at least three months. When headaches show up that often, work, sleep, and relationships start to suffer. Targeted interventional care can help break the cycle when pills and lifestyle changes are not enough on their own.

Symptoms & causes

Migraines and chronic headaches look different from person to person. Your relief plan starts with understanding your pattern, your triggers, and what usually brings the pain on.

Throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head
Nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound
Visual aura, tingling, or vision changes that come on before an attack
Headaches triggered by stress, poor sleep, hormones, or certain foods

When to see a doctor

Seek care if…

Call us right away if your headache is the worst you have ever had, comes on suddenly like a thunderclap, is paired with vision loss, weakness, slurred speech, or fever, or follows a head injury. These can signal a serious problem that needs same-day evaluation.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have chronic migraine versus regular headaches?

Chronic migraine is 15 or more headache days a month for at least three months, with migraine features on eight or more of those days. If headaches are getting in the way of work, sleep, or daily life, it is worth a specialist visit.

How long does Botox for migraine take to work?

Most patients notice fewer headache days within two to four weeks of their first round of Botox. Full benefit usually shows up after the second round, and treatment is repeated every three months.

Will I need to stay on migraine medication forever?

Not necessarily. Many patients cut back or stop daily preventive medications once interventional treatments take hold. The goal is fewer pills and more good days.