Migraine Treatment
If you’re struggling with severe headaches or migraines, our clinic provides trusted migraine relief in Bakersfield. At California Neurology Institute, our specialists offer personalized neurological care designed to help you feel better, faster.
Top Neurologist Migraine Specialist in bakersfield, ca
Understanding Migraines and How They Progress
Migraine is a neurological condition that causes multiple symptoms, most notably intense, debilitating headaches. If you’re searching for trusted migraine relief in Bakersfield, understanding what causes migraines and how they progress is the first step toward effective care. Moreover, unlike typical headaches, migraines are often accompanied by symptoms that can significantly disrupt your daily life. At California Neurology Institute, we guide patients in navigating the causes, stages, and patterns of migraines while providing personalized migraine relief in Bakersfield.
Who Gets Migraines and Why?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately 12% of the U.S. population experiences migraines. These headaches are often triggered by the activation of nerve fibers within the blood vessels of the brain. As a result, migraine attacks can last for several hours—or even days—and the resulting pain may become so intense that it interferes with your ability to carry out normal activities.
Migraines can develop at any stage of life, including childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. In addition, research shows that women are more likely than men to suffer from migraines. One of the most common risk factors is family history. In fact, the Migraine Research Foundation reports that a child with one parent who has migraines has a 50% chance of developing them. That risk jumps to 75% if both parents have migraines.
The Four Stages of a Migraine
A typical migraine progresses through four stages, although not everyone experiences all of them. These stages are known as prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome.
Stage 1: Prodrome – Early Warning Signs
The prodrome stage usually begins a day or two before the actual migraine attack. This early warning phase comes with subtle symptoms that signal an upcoming episode. Recognizing these early signs can help you take preventive measures or begin treatment sooner—especially important for those pursuing migraine relief in Bakersfield.
Common prodrome symptoms include:
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Constipation
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Mood changes, ranging from depression to euphoria
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Food cravings
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Neck stiffness
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Increased thirst and urination
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Frequent yawning
Stage 2: Aura – Sensory Disturbances
While not everyone experiences aura, around 30% of people with migraines do. Auras are nervous system symptoms that may occur before or during a migraine. Most commonly, they are visual disturbances, but they can also include other sensory or neurological experiences. Typically, aura symptoms develop gradually over several minutes and last between 20 and 60 minutes.
Examples of aura symptoms include:
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Visual effects like shapes, bright spots, or flashing lights
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Partial vision loss or blind spots
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Tingling sensations in an arm or leg
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Numbness or weakness on one side of the body or face
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Difficulty speaking clearly (aphasia)
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Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
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Hearing phantom noises or music
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Uncontrollable jerking movements or twitches
If you’re experiencing recurring aura symptoms, it’s especially important to consult a specialist for accurate diagnosis and personalized migraine relief in Bakersfield.
Stage 3: Attack – The Painful Phase
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Stage 4: Post-drome – The Recovery Period
Once the attack subsides, the post-drome phase begins. Often referred to as the “migraine hangover,” this stage is the body’s recovery period. Sudden movements can still trigger brief head pain. Most people feel exhausted, drained, or mentally foggy for up to a day after the migraine ends. Interestingly, some individuals report feelings of euphoria during this stage.
Get the Relief You Deserve
Understanding these stages allows for better self-monitoring and more effective treatment planning. If you or a loved one experiences migraines, the experts at California Neurology Institute are here to help with compassionate, personalized migraine relief in Bakersfield.
Migraine Attacks
The attack phase is the main stage of a migraine, the painful phase that includes the headache and other symptoms. It typically lasts anywhere from 4 to 72 hours if it continues untreated. The frequency of migraines varies; some people experience them on rare occasions; others may have them several times a month.
During a migraine attack, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Throbbing, pulsing pain on one or both sides of the head
- extreme sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells
- worsening pain during physical activity
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain or heartburn
- lightheadedness
- blurred vision
- loss of appetite
- fainting
Many people who experience migraine attacks will seek a quiet, dark place to lie down to avoid sound, light, and movement, which may make a migraine more painful. This is a characteristic of migraines that differs from other types of headaches. Some people find that sleeping for a few hours may help to end a migraine attack.
Get Help from a Migraine Specialist in Bakersfield
If you are experiencing migraines, contact Maheep Virdi, MD, the top migraine specialist in Bakersfield, California. Migraines can be debilitating. Therefore, the sooner you receive a diagnosis and begin treatment, the faster you will experience relief from your symptoms.
Contact California Neurology Institute today to schedule a consultation with a neurologist specializing in migraines in Bakersfield, California.
Treatment for Migraines
For some people, over-the-counter pain medications may be enough to relieve their symptoms. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Excedrin (a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine). However, those whose symptoms don’t respond to over-the-counter medications should reach out to a top migraine specialist—a neurologist specializing in migraine treatment in Bakersfield, CA.
The Importance of a Professional Diagnosis
It is important to have your migraines properly diagnosed in order to find the most effective treatment plan. At California Neurology Institute, our team uses their expertise as migraine specialists to accurately diagnose and treat your symptoms. When you meet with our doctors in Bakersfield, California, they will thoroughly review your specific medical history and symptoms. In addition, they will conduct a tailored neurological exam and provide you with a personalized diagnosis and treatment strategy.
Neurological exams could consist of a CT scan, MRI, or EEG depending on your specific symptoms. As a result, we are able to pinpoint the root cause of your migraines and recommend the most appropriate therapies.
Preventative Medications for Chronic Migraines
If you are experiencing at least six migraines per month—or three per month that severely interfere with your daily activities—then one of our migraine specialists in Bakersfield, CA, Dr. Virdi, may recommend preventative medications to reduce your symptoms.
These may include:
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Beta-blockers, such as propranolol or timolol, often used for high blood pressure or coronary diseases
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Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, which also treat high blood pressure
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Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, for controlling serotonin and other brain chemicals
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Antiseizure drugs, such as valproate (in moderate doses)
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Pain relievers, such as naproxen
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CGRP antagonists, a new class of drugs approved specifically to prevent migraines
Because these medications can have side effects, your neurologist will carefully evaluate your medical history before prescribing any treatment.
Lifestyle Changes & Alternative Therapies
You should also speak with your migraine specialist about lifestyle changes that may help decrease migraine frequency. These can include ensuring you receive adequate sleep, avoiding foods that may trigger attacks, staying well-hydrated, and quitting smoking. Additionally, some patients benefit from alternative treatments such as:
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Acupuncture
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Cognitive behavioral therapy
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Herbal supplements
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Riboflavin (vitamin B-2)
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Magnesium
In many cases, combining medication with lifestyle changes leads to more lasting relief.
California Neurology Institute, our Physicians, and Staff specialize in treating all adult and adolescent neurology needs.
OFFICE
8335 Brimhall Rd Bldg. 1100
Bakersfield, CA 93312
HOURS
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM
PHONE
(661) 432-7851
FAX
(661) 432-7852
Send Us A Message
Send Us A Message
OFFICE
8335 Brimhall Rd Bldg. 1100, Bakersfield, CA 93312
HOURS
Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM
PHONE
(661) 432-7851
FAX
(661) 432-7852