We’re pleased to announce that Pain Physicians of Wisconsin is now Pro Spine Pain.
We’re pleased to announce that Pain Physicians of Wisconsin is now Pro Spine Pain.
A migraine is a debilitating headache causing severe throbbing or pulsing. Migraines can be accompanied by other symptoms like nausea or vomiting. Between migraine attacks, symptoms disappear completely.
Migraines are common; about 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 12 men develop migraines at some point in their lives. It most commonly starts in childhood or as a young adult. Some people have frequent attacks – sometimes several a week. Others have attacks only now and then. Some people may go for years between attacks. In some people, the migraine attacks stop in later adult life. However, in some cases the attacks continue throughout life.
There are two main types of a migraine attack: the common migraine, or the migraine attack without aura, and the migraine attack with aura.
It’s common for the headache pain to be located at the front or side of the head, but sometimes it can even affect both sides. This headache may start on one side and then spread throughout your head. The pain is usually moderate to severe, often described as throbbing or pulsating. You may notice that movement of your head can intensify the pain. These headaches tend to start in the morning, but they can occur at any time. They will typically worsen gradually and reach their peak after 2-12 before subsiding. However, it’s important to note that these headaches can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours.
A migraine attack with aura, also known as a classic migraine, affects 1 in 4 individuals with migraines. While the symptoms are similar to those of migraines without aura, they also include an intriguing warning sign, known as an aura, that precedes the onset of the headache.
The most common type of aura is visual, where you may temporarily experience a loss of vision in certain areas, see flashes of light, or perceive objects as rotating, shaking, or boiling. The second most common type is numbness and a pins and needles feeling, starting in the hand and traveling up the arm, eventually affecting the face, lips, tongue, and sometimes even the leg. The third most common type is problems with speech. Additionally, other types of aura may manifest as an odd smell, food cravings, a heightened sense of well-being, or other peculiar sensations.
During a migraine attack, you may experience one of the above auras or several in succession. Each aura typically lasts just a few minutes, but can occasionally endure up to 60 minutes. Interestingly, the aura usually dissipates before the headache begins. However, the headache often develops within 60 minutes of the aura’s conclusion, and at times, it may occur immediately afterwards.
While there’s no specific test to confirm migraine, our doctors can confidently diagnose it based on your symptoms and a thorough examination.
While there’s no specific test to confirm migraine, our doctors can confidently diagnose it based on your symptoms and a thorough examination. While there’s no specific test to confirm migraine, our doctors can confidently diagnose it based on your symptoms and a thorough examination.
While there’s no specific test to confirm migraine, our doctors can confidently diagnose it based on your symptoms and a thorough examination.
Thomas Stauss, MD, completed both his undergraduate and medical studies at the esteemed University of Wisconsin in Madison. Dr. Stauss values having access to a wide array of cutting-edge treatment options, ensuring effective relief for his patients' discomfort and a significant enhancement in their quality of life. More specifically, he specializes in utilizing implanted devices to manage chronic pain. Dr. Stauss’s primary objective is to uphold the dignity of each patient while delivering ethical and professional services.
More about Dr. Stauss