Many people who experience migraines do not visit their doctor for support. There may be a number of reasons for this, such as believing there is nothing a GP can do to help or feeling uncomfortable discussing health matters, but it's always best to get a formal diagnosis when experiencing the debilitating symptoms associated with migraines. Although your GP can't cure your migraines, they can offer support that can help improve your quality of life when dealing with regular migraines. Here are three ways a GP can help migraine sufferers.
Identify Triggers
The cause of migraines isn't fully understood, but a wave of abnormal brain activity is thought to play a role. Many migraine sufferers have triggers that can temporarily affect the nerve signals and chemicals in the brain and lead to a migraine episode. Your GP can help you identify what your triggers are, and being aware of your triggers and making some modifications to your lifestyle can help reduce the number of migraines you have. Examples of triggers include hormonal changes linked to the menstrual cycle, stress, depression, poor posture, poor-quality sleep, low blood sugar and certain foods. Your GP can help you identify triggers by carrying out blood tests to look for problems with your endocrine system, check your blood sugar levels and determine whether you have a food allergy or intolerance. They may also show you how to keep a food diary or a symptoms diary, and they can discuss your current lifestyle and routine with you to determine whether there's anything that may be acting as a trigger for you.
Manage Symptoms
Your GP can provide you with advice regarding managing your symptoms during a migraine episode. For example, they may explain how to use cold compresses to help ease migraine pain. They can also prescribe medication, such as triptans and anti-emetics, that you can take at the first sign of a migraine. These medications can ease your symptoms and even reduce the severity and length of the migraine.
Refer You To A Specialist
If your migraines increase in frequency or your GP thinks there could be a serious underlying condition that's triggering migraine episodes, such as tumours or brain lesions, they can refer you to a neurologist. The neurologist will carry out diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI, to establish if there are any abnormal growths or bleeds on the brain. They can also prescribe treatments for migraine that your GP cannot, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, which can be helpful when your migraines don't seem to be responding to the more common treatment options available.
If you would like to know more about how your doctor can help you manage your migraines, contact your medical practice for more information.