Headaches are a common ailment, one that probably everyone has experienced in one form or another. Often undiagnosed, migraines are a particularly uncomfortable and debilitating type of headache. The good news is that urgent care can treat migraines and many other types of headaches.
If you think you may be experiencing a migraine, visit us at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care. Our three convenient Louisiana locations are equipped to get to the bottom of your headache pain quickly and provide the relief you need.
Can I Go to Urgent Care for a Migraine?
Headaches, including migraines, are a very common reason for urgent care visits. Experienced providers can assess your symptoms, discuss your medical history, and determine a course of treatment to treat your headache pain. Urgent care is often much faster and more convenient than an emergency room or primary care clinic, which makes all the difference when you are dealing with a painful headache.
Migraine Symptoms
Some people experience symptoms a day or two before a migraine starts. These “prodrome” symptoms may include:
- Mood changes.
- Constipation.
- Frequent yawning.
- Food cravings.
Like prodrome symptoms, “aura” symptoms can affect some (but not all) people who have migraines. They typically start just before a migraine and can include:
- Seeing spots or flashing lights.
- Having a pins and needles sensation on your body.
Symptoms during the migraine attack can include:
- Throbbing or pulsating pain.
- Sensitivity to noise or light.
- Pain on one or both sides of your head.
- Vomiting and nausea.
When to Go to Urgent Care for a Migraine
If you have previously been diagnosed with a migraine, you may have been prescribed medication to prevent or stop a migraine. If this medication is not relieving your symptoms, if your headache is ongoing, or if you are unsure what type of headache you are having, visit urgent care. A provider can determine what kind of headache you are experiencing and find the best treatment.
When Is a Headache an Emergency?
Many headaches, including migraines, can be treated effectively in urgent care. Some headache symptoms can indicate a life-threatening condition that is best treated in an emergency room. You should seek care in an ER rather than urgent care if:
- Your headache started abruptly and is extremely painful.
- You have a stiff neck.
- You experience seizures.
- You are having double vision.
- You have weakness in part of your body.
- You are having difficulty speaking.
What Urgent Care Can Do for a Migraine
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, we know that migraine headaches are uncomfortable, and you may feel desperate for relief. We will work to ensure you see a provider as quickly as possible. A provider will discuss your symptoms, perform an examination, and order medications as indicated to ease your pain.
Should your provider feel you need blood tests or other diagnostic testing, our locations feature onsite labs and imaging to ensure you are diagnosed and treated quickly.
Migraine Causes
We don’t fully understand why people get migraines, but genetics and environmental influences can play a role. Whatever the underlying causes, migraine attacks can have specific triggers, which can be different for each person. These may include:
- Coffee or alcohol.
- Foods (aged cheese, processed foods, aspartame, or monosodium glutamate).
- Stress.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Physical exertion.
- Hormonal changes.
- Weather patterns.
If you deal with persistent migraines, knowing and avoiding your triggers can be helpful.
Urgent Care: Convenient Migraine Relief
What can urgent care do for a migraine? We hope you’ve discovered the answer. We can get to the bottom of your pain and get you the relief you need, seven days a week. For migraine relief when you can’t wait, visit us at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care.
