Have you ever experienced a throbbing headache after spending too much time staring at your phone or computer screen?
Now imagine that same aching pain, but it continues for several hours or days, progressively getting worse with bright lights and loud noises. This indescribable pain is more than just a bad headache – it’s a migraine.
A migraine is more than just a slightly worse headache. It’s a debilitating, chronic condition that can leave you bedridden and in pain for hours or even days on end.
While a whole-body MRI scan may seem extensive for migraines, it can provide insight into the causes of your frequent head pain.
Not Every Headache is a Migraine, But Every Migraine is a Headache
While many of us would describe the aching pulse in our temples as a headache, migraines are more common than you think.
Migraines impact over 37 million men, women, and children in the United States, but fewer than 5 percent of those affected have been accurately diagnosed and receive appropriate care.
A migraine is a severe type of headache that can last anywhere from four hours to multiple days, interfering with your everyday life and affecting your ability to follow through on personal, social, and professional obligations.
While many use the terms “headache” and “migraine” interchangeably, headaches are only one symptom of migraines.
Along with headaches, migraines can be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating
- Vision changes
- Trouble sleeping
Symptoms of migraines will arrive at different intervals, or stages, of the condition. Moving through the four stages of a migraine – prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome – can take anywhere from eight to 72 hours.
Is A Whole Body MRI for Migraine Headaches Necessary?
Migraines are unpredictable, and their exact causes are just as mysterious. Common triggers that can induce the start of a migraine may include hormonal shifts, allergies, genetics, or environmental factors such as stress or lack of sleep.
While most people with migraines don’t need an MRI, there are red flags that may indicate a larger problem at play inside your body.
Sudden changes that may point to a more serious problem can include:
- Increase in frequency or changes in intensity of a migraine headache
- New headaches in a person over 50
- A headache occurring on the same side of the head
- Head pain that doesn’t stop
- The sudden onset of an incredibly painful headache
- Headaches brought on by coughing, straining, or lifting heavy objects
- Weakness on one side of the body
- A headache that changes when you move, such as when you stand from a sitting position
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact a medical professional immediately, as it could be a sign of a more serious condition.
You, Your Migraines, and a Full Body MRI Scan
For those experiencing sudden changes or any of the red flags indicated above, it may be critical to discover the answer to your sudden migraine.
In some cases, migraines can indicate a more serious condition. Some common medical conditions that could result in a migraine may include:
- Brain tumor
- Brain infection (abscess)
- Hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain)
- Spinal cord injuries or conditions (herniated disc)
- Stroke
- Injuries
Unlike CT scans, a full-body MRI at our facility does not use contrast dye or ionizing radiation. These elements make it a safe imaging alternative.
A migraine MRI is about more than seeking answers to your throbbing head pain – it’s about peace of mind.
Don’t Let Migraines Control Your Life – Contact MRI Wellness Today
Trying to find the root cause behind the throbbing pain in your temples can feel like too much for your brain to comprehend, especially while trying to fight through the four stages of migraine pain.
But that’s why our team at MRI Wellness is here to help.
When you schedule any of our three options for MRI scans, we promise an experience focused on accuracy, speed, safety, and, above all, comfort.
With the ability to screen for nearly 500 conditions across 13 organ systems, we ensure you are gaining a comprehensive view of your health and finding peace of mind in understanding and answers.
Our clinic is designed for you to sit back, relax, and let us dedicate time to your wellness journey. Take the first step in a proactive approach to your health by scheduling your appointment today for an MRI in Charleston, SC.
