Living with migraines can feel like a constant battle. The unpredictable migraine cycle can disrupt every aspect of your daily life – work, spending time with friends and family, and enjoying the activities you love.
AHN has a team of migraine experts who understand what you’ve been dealing with and can help you regain control. They offer breakthrough treatments, personalized just for you. So you can live pain-free and enjoy life again.
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Genetics play a big role in migraine. This means that it’s often inherited in families. These genes make you more sensitive to changes in your environment, like lifestyle factors and triggers that can bring on an attack.
Everyone experiences migraine symptoms differently. Attacks can include a variety of neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. These include throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head. This head pain often goes along with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. Some people also have visual problems, called auras, which can include seeing flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag patterns.
Migraines can last for several hours to a few days. People with migraines are more susceptible to triggers like stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, and environmental factors
Learn more about other types of headaches, including cluster headaches and tension headaches.
Migraine symptoms are different for each of the four stages:
A prodrome is the onset of early migraine symptoms and happens before the actual attack. One or two days before a migraine, you may notice slight changes that indicate an oncoming migraine, including:
About 30% of people with migraines will experience aura symptoms. These come before the headache phase or during. They can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour. These symptoms include:
Migraine attacks last anywhere from four hours to three days. If not treated, you’re at risk of having chronic migraines that can occur daily. If you have less than four attacks a month, this is called episodic migraine. If you have more than eight severe attacks a month, you are at high risk to have chronic migraines. You may experience any or all these symptoms:
Postdrome occurs after the migraine attack. It can last up to two days. During this time, you may feel drained and washed out, depressed, and have some memory and thinking difficulties. Some people feel mildly euphoric or overjoyed.
This occurs when you experience mild headaches on and off during the month after the attack.
Our team takes patients’ migraine pain seriously. That includes making you feel safe and comfortable when you come for your appointments. The AHN Headache Center is a calming place with dimmed lights in the waiting and exam rooms, cool air, and a quiet environment.
At your appointment, you won’t feel rushed. We’ll take time to discuss your migraines and medical history with you. We’ll provide you with a thorough physical exam, and we’ll ask you about:
Our physicians work with you to develop a strategy for the best plan of action. You will leave your first visit with a treatment plan that may include any of the following options:
Migraine management addresses migraine attacks. Options include oral medications, neuromodulation devices, and injection therapy.
Prevention migraine management helps prevent the frequency and severity of attacks. Options include oral medications, monthly monoclonal therapies, and neuromodulation therapy.
One of our innovative devices is remote electrical neuromodulation. This is a wearable device that stimulates nerves in your upper arm, which carry pain signals to your brain. This action triggers a pain-management response by your brain and works with your body to naturally turn off migraine pain without medications.
Alternative therapies are non-medical ways to manage your migraines. Some options include:
To request an appointment at the AHN Headache Center, call (412) 578-3925 in Pittsburgh or (814) 452-7575 in Erie.
AHN Headache Center
West Penn Hospital
4815 Liberty Avenue, Suite 439
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
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AHN Headache Center
Allegheny General Hospital
320 East North Avenue
Hemlock Building. Third Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
