Migraine Headache

Migraine is a nervous system disorder that causes repeated bouts of intense headaches and other symptoms. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, trusted headache specialists deliver the services you need in locations close to home.

Our board-certified headache specialists provide a comprehensive range of treatments. We’re one of the few programs in the region offering botulinum toxin for migraine. You also have access to additional evidence-based methods. Meet our headache specialists.

Many things can trigger a migraine headache, including:

• Activity: Certain physical activities can exacerbate migraine
• Food and drink: Hunger, certain foods or consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
• Other medical issues: Trauma, fluctuations in female hormones, allergies and other conditions
• Environment: Strong odor, certain motions, loud noise, bright lights or weather changes
• Medications: Certain drugs or missing a dose

Migraine can have many symptoms, including: 

• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lightheadedness
• Mood changes
• Vision changes, like blind spots and flashes of light

Our specialists will want to know how often you have symptoms, how long they last and what migraine treatments you may have tried. After performing a physical and neurological exam, additional assessments such as blood tests and brain imaging help rule out other conditions.

These treatments work quickly to ease headache attack symptoms and include: 

• Migraine drugs, fast-acting medications that block pain
• Steroids that shorten the duration of a migraine attack
• Other headache medications in case migraine drugs don’t work
• Treatments for specific symptoms, like antinausea medications

We may recommend additional treatments to help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks:

• Medications: We may recommend drugs used for other medical issues, like seizures and high blood pressure.
• Injections: Botulinum toxin and nerve blocks disrupt pain signals from the brain. We are one of the few programs in the region whose headache specialists offer these treatments.
• Lifestyle changes: Managing stress, having a consistent meal schedule, being physically active and getting plenty of rest help manage triggers.

Our neurologists care for patients across the Puget Sound area and beyond. Find a headache specialist near you.