Headaches and migraines: Getting you back to doing what you love

Headaches don’t cause lasting damage, but they can impact your ability to take part in daily activities. They can affect your mental health as well. The headache team at UW Health combines the resources of a large health system with one-on-one attention to get you back to doing what you love.

Our headache clinics are led by a team of neurologists. We use the latest research and therapies to diagnose and treat your headaches. We treat both adults and children at locations close to home.

More about migraines 

Doctors don’t yet have a complete understanding of what causes migraines, but we do know that migraines run in families. It isn't clear why some people get them and others don't.

Different people have different symptoms. Activity, light, noise or odors may make your headache worse. Pain may move from one side of your head to the other or you may feel pain on both sides of your head at the same time. 

Some people have an aura before a migraine starts. When you have an aura, you may see spots, wavy lines or flashing lights. Your hands, arms or face may tingle or feel numb. The aura usually starts about 30 minutes before a migraine.

Anxiety and depression 

If you feel anxious or depressed, talk with your doctor. A counselor can work with you to manage these feelings. Treating anxiety and depression may reduce how often you get migraines.

Making a diagnosis

To diagnose your headache, your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms. They will also do physical and neurological exams. A neurological exam checks your sensory and motor responses. Tools such as lights and a reflex hammer are used to see how your nervous system responds. 

Your doctor may complete blood and imaging tests to rule out other medical conditions. Imaging tests may include a CT scan or an MRI that lets your doctor see the blood vessels, muscles and tissues in your neck and head.

To help pinpoint the cause of your headaches and determine what is triggering them, your doctor might ask you to keep a headache diary (pdf) and/or a pain log (pdf).

Many headaches, especially migraines, are triggered by certain foods, activities or changes to your environment. If you know your triggers, you can work to avoid them. Common triggers include:

• Caffeine

• Changes in your normal routine

• Chocolate

• Dehydration

• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

• Not eating

• Poor sleep habits

• Red wine

• Smoking or cigarette smoke

• Stress

• Strong odors

• Weather changes

Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water can help prevent headaches. Exercise reduces stress and helps relieve muscle tension.

Our doctors work with other providers to provide complete care for your whole self. Integrative health providers combine Western medicine with natural medicine therapies such as acupuncture and yoga. Interventional pain specialists use injections and nerve blocks to stop and reduce pain. Pain psychologists treat the emotional aspects of chronic pain with strategies like behavioral therapy and guided imagery. Physical therapists use exercises to reduce muscle tension and build strength.

Living with chronic headache pain is a challenge. Our headache management and coping group teaches strategies and skills you can use to feel better. You also get support in a safe environment. 

Learn to manage your headache pain

• Dates: Tuesdays, 3–4:30 p.m.

• Location: Pain Management Clinic, 1102 S. Park St., Madison, Wis.

• Group Leader: Shilagh Mirgain, PhD

• Cost: Covered by many health insurance programs

• More information or to register: Call Michele Johnson at (608) 890-6464