I Never Had Migraines Before — Why Do I Have Them Now?

Expert Author
Nichelle Renk Pain Management Specialist Anchorage, AK

Dr. Nichelle C. Renk is a board-certified and fellowship-trained anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist practicing in Anchorage, AK at the Algone Interventional Pain Clinic. Dr. Renk performs a thorough evaluation of a patient's symptoms, imaging, and physical exam to create an individualized plan for the patient.... more

Migraine headaches come with a range of unpleasant symptoms, including pain, sensory sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting. You may experience discomfort and warning symptoms before a migraine as well. 

People who go through at least 15 migraine days each month have chronic migraines and need treatment and support to deal with them.

If you never used to have migraines, but find yourself having them frequently now, you should learn more about migraine triggers so you can better understand and manage the condition.

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness of Anchorage, Alaska, Dr. Nichelle Renk and Dr. Mary Beth Calor specialize in interventional pain management. Dr. Renk and Dr. Calor help you understand your migraine symptoms and triggers, and recommend treatments and therapies like Botox® for migraines to give you relief.

Changes in your body that can trigger migraines

Migraines relate to your brain’s trigeminal nerve, which conveys information about sensations like pain.

Many of the common triggers of migraine headaches relate to changes in your body or lifestyle. That’s why migraines can become a chronic problem in your life when you’ve never dealt with them before.

Here are just a few changes in your health that could trigger migraines:

  • Underlying changes in your brainstem
  • Imbalances in neurotransmitters in your brain, such as the pain regulator serotonin
  • Changes in your hormones, including changes in men and women related to aging
  • Changes in your sleep habits
  • New types of physical activity, including sexual activity
  • Taking certain medications
  • Experiencing acute or ongoing stress

Seasonal changes in nature can increase your risk of migraine headaches, and certain foods, food additives, and alcoholic beverages can trigger them.

Your migraine management plan

The symptoms of chronic migraine headaches are painful and disruptive, perhaps debilitating. 

When you feel warning symptoms of a migraine coming on, you know you’re in for one or more days of possibly disabling pain and other types of heightened sensitivity. Migraine symptoms can even land you in the emergency room!

No matter why you’re suddenly suffering from migraines, you deserve help and relief. A consultation with Dr. Renk and Dr. Calor is your first step toward putting together an effective migraine management plan that will work for you.

In addition to identifying your triggers and potentially modifying your exposure to triggering substances or situations, Dr. Renk and Dr. Calor can treat your migraine headaches with interventions including:

Some prescription medications specifically work to prevent migraines as well. Ask Dr. Renk and Dr. Calor whether these treatments may be right for you.

If you’ve found that, after years of them not being a problem for you, migraine headaches are significantly disrupting your life, get in touch with Dr. Renk or Dr. Calor to learn more about your condition and how it can be improved.

Schedule a personal consultation by calling Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today, or you can book online here on our website.