503-249-9000
Migraines are not just ordinary headaches—they’re often described as debilitating, pulsing pain that can interfere with every aspect of daily life. While many people struggle to pinpoint the exact cause of their headaches, identifying the underlying causes of migraines is essential to developing a treatment plan that brings long-term relief.
If you’re wondering what causes migraines or how to tell the difference between a migraine and a headache, this guide will help you understand the root causes, common triggers, symptoms, and treatment options—especially if you’re considering visiting urgent care for migraines
What Causes Migraine Headaches?
The cause of a migraine headache isn’t always straightforward. Migraines are believed to be the result of complex interactions between nerve signals, brain chemicals, and blood vessels in the brain. One of the most cited biological contributors is low serotonin levels, which may lead to inflammation and pain around blood vessels. In addition, irregular brainstem activity and how it interacts with the trigeminal nerve—a major pain pathway—can also play a role.
Several environmental and genetic factors can increase your risk of developing migraines. If migraines run in your family, you may be more likely to experience them. Similarly, changes in weather, barometric pressure, or even your menstrual cycle can impact the chemical balance in your brain and trigger a migraine attack.
For many people, identifying personal migraine triggers is key to managing the condition. Common triggers include:
Understanding what causes your migraines specifically is often the first step in finding relief.
Migraine symptoms can vary from person to person, but they typically involve a combination of intense pain and sensory sensitivity. Most migraines present as a throbbing or pulsing pain, usually on one side of the head. This pain often worsens with movement or exposure to light, sound, or strong smells.
In addition to the head pain itself, other symptoms may include:
Some people experience migraine aura before or during their attack, which can involve temporary visual or speech disturbances, numbness or tingling, or even partial vision loss. A silent migraine is a form of migraine with aura but without the head pain, making it harder to identify without medical guidance.
Headaches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including tension, sinus, and cluster as the main forms. However, headaches are not nearly as intense as migraines. Migraines cause intense throbbing pain that interrupts all the senses. Headaches usually include varying frequencies and intensities and may extend to the neck and face.
Migraines, on the other hand:
How Do I Know if My Headache Is a Migraine?
Distinguishing between a migraine and a headache can be tricky, especially if you're experiencing symptoms for the first time. Unlike tension or sinus headaches, migraines are usually more intense, long-lasting, and accompanied by other symptoms like nausea, vision issues, or light sensitivity.
If your headaches are persistent, occur frequently, and leave you unable to function normally, they may not be just headaches—they could be migraine headaches. It's also important to pay attention to when your headaches occur and whether they're tied to certain triggers like skipped meals, hormonal changes, or stress.
If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing migraines or another issue, visiting a healthcare provider—like those at Portland Urgent Care—can help you get a proper diagnosis and start treatment.
How Is a Migraine Diagnosed?
There is currently no single test to diagnose a migraine. Instead, doctors rely on a detailed history of your symptoms, lifestyle, and family medical background. During a consultation, your provider may conduct a neurological exam and order imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI to rule out other causes like tumors or stroke.
A proper diagnosis not only confirms you are experiencing migraines but helps rule out other medical issues. From there, your provider can recommend a customized treatment plan, whether you experience classic migraines, migraines with aura, or chronic migraines.
Migraines can unfold in four distinct stages, although not everyone experiences all of them.
1. Prodrome – This early stage can begin up to 24 hours before a migraine hits. Common symptoms include constipation, neck stiffness, mood changes, food cravings, increased urination, and frequent yawning.
2. Aura – About 1 in 4 migraine sufferers experience aura, which often involves visual disturbances like flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots. Aura can also include speech problems, muscle weakness, and sensory changes.
3. Attack – The actual migraine can last from 4 to 72 hours. Symptoms typically include intense head pain, nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli like light and sound.
4. Post-drome – After the pain subsides, many people feel drained, confused, or mentally foggy. This stage can last for a day or two and may include residual head pressure or fatigue.
How Do You Treat or Stop a Migraine?
Although there's currently no definitive cure for migraines, many treatments focus on relieving symptoms and preventing future attacks. Migraine treatment options often include a combination of:
Natural remedies can also be helpful. Some people find success with:
When migraines become frequent or increasingly intense, working with a physician to create a tailored treatment plan is essential.
Certain foods and drinks can trigger or alleviate migraine symptoms. Triggers vary, but some common offenders include:
On the flip side, nutrient-rich foods that can help with prevention include:
As for drinks, herbal teas like ginger tea, peppermint tea, and feverfew tea may offer soothing effects. Staying well-hydrated with water or electrolyte-infused beverages is also critical. Decaf green tea and riboflavin-rich drinks like low-fat milk may support migraine prevention for some.
Many people find some relief from symptoms with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. A few brands make a migraine mix with acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. However, avoid these if caffeine is one of your triggers. Do not take medication for more than four days without a visit to your doctor, and never take more than the recommended dosages.
You can also try a variety of natural and homeopathic remedies to help with migraine discomfort. Some people have found relief from acupressure or acupuncture, dietary changes, essential oils, ginger, stress management, yoga, massage, and herbal remedies. Experimenting with a variety of options is the only way to know if any of these options will work for you.
Look for a few precursors that can indicate an oncoming migraine. Look for constipation, mood changes including depression and euphoria, food cravings, neck stiffness, increased urination, fluid retention, and chronic yawning. Another symptom of an oncoming migraine is an aura or visual phenomena where you may see strange shapes, spots, flashes, or light.
Alternately, you may lose vision for a short amount of time or experience weakness on one side of your face or body. Others have experienced pins and needles in their arms and legs or difficulty speaking. When you figure out your triggers, you can then start to figure out the next piece of the puzzle, what works for your body to stop or reduce the migraine.
Yes, you should see a doctor for a migraine as they can offer some relief and help to find triggers. Moreover, they can help to treat intense headaches over time to reduce frequency. If your migraines interrupt your life, doctors will be able to help as well and keep you living instead of just surviving. Also, it’s important to see a doctor so they can make sure the migraines are not linked to underlying problems or conditions.
If you're experiencing an intense migraine that won't go away, or if symptoms are accompanied by blurred vision, vomiting, or speech issues, urgent care may be the best place to go for relief. At Portland Urgent Care, our team provides:
You don’t have to wait hours in the emergency room. Our walk-in urgent care clinic is equipped to help you manage migraines with compassion and skill.
Portland Urgent Care works with a multitude of insurance companies to serve more customers. We also use a variety of integrated medical resources by combining both western and eastern medical healthcare allowing us to serve you the way your body needs. We offer same-day and walk-in appointments for migraines for immediate care with the best doctors. Get a dedicated treatment plan to prevent future migraines and cope with the symptoms.
Migraines are treatable but not fixable and require a doctor's help. While a doctor cannot cure you of migraines, they can diagnose them and help to find your triggers to prevent future migraines. At Portland Urgent Care, we can help you deal with your pain and move forward to avoid pain and discomfort and get back to your life.
Can I Go To Urgent Care For Chest Pain?
