ER for Migraine Treatment and Severe Headaches

Though serious injuries can and do happen, you may be surprised to learn that the most common reason for emergency room visits is headaches, or more specifically, migraines. When you think of headaches, you may think of a dull pain in your head that may be caused by fatigue, hunger, or dehydration. Migraines, however, can be excruciating and may result in vomiting and nausea, sensitivities to noise and light, and vertigo. These aren’t your typical headaches and may require treatment for relief.

Making a trip to the emergency room while experiencing a severe migraine may be uncomfortable. However, when you experience severe migraines or persistent headaches that do not go away even after treatment, you should go to the ER. There’s even more reason to visit if you have experienced any new or unusual symptoms. A sudden and severe headache, for example, can indicate a stroke or aneurysm and should be assessed rapidly in the emergency room.

At Prestige Emergency Room, patients in San Antonio receive top-tier diagnosis and treatment for migraines and other headaches. Visit us at any of our four locations for prompt, personalized care. Our experienced providers can help relieve your pain and other symptoms while giving you strategies to prevent a recurrence.

The Symptoms of a Migraine

It is important to understand what a migraine is and to identify when you are experiencing this type of headache. If you suffer from recurrent migraines, you are likely familiar with their symptoms. Migraine headaches are often associated with much more severe and longer-lasting intense pain than other types of headaches, with pain frequently concentrated over one eye or near the temple. They often occur in response to specific triggers, and they’re usually accompanied by other symptoms, like:

Nausea.

Sensitivity to light.

Sensitivity to sound (and sometimes smells).

Visual disturbances before or during the migraine (wavy vision, flashing lights, tunnel vision, or other distortions).

Migraines can last a few hours or persist for much longer. An intractable migraine is a migraine that lasts longer than 72 hours and may require medical attention in the ER. The best way to determine whether your headache is a migraine or another type of headache (like a tension or cluster headache) is to go to the ER for migraine diagnosis and treatment.

When to Go to the ER for a Migraine

How do you know when to visit the ER? Here are two key things to watch for:

You’re Experiencing New Symptoms

You should visit the ER for new or unusual symptoms, such as:

Neck stiffness.
Confusion.
Double vision.
Vision loss.
Muscle weakness.
Fever.
Seizures.

If you have a disorder that impacts your immune system, are pregnant, or have significant medical issues like heart, kidney, or liver disease, visiting the ER for new or concerning symptoms is especially important.

Prestige ER can assess and treat conditions like severe headaches or intractable migraines rapidly. Your provider may order diagnostic imaging to help rule out dangerous conditions like an aneurysm or a stroke before selecting the best treatment for you.

Your Migraine Isn’t Resolving

When a headache starts, you might lie down or take pain medication to relieve your symptoms, hoping your headache will go away. However, if it persists, you are in severe pain, and over-the-counter medications aren’t helping, you should seek help in the ER. A migraine that prevents you from doing everyday activities and lasts from a few days to weeks warrants an emergency room visit.

What Will the ER Do for a Migraine?

Providers in the ER work to ensure that no severe, life-threatening issues are causing your migraine. After ruling out any complications or potentially fatal concerns, your provider will choose the best treatment to relieve your headache and manage your pain. This may include what is often called a “migraine cocktail,” a combination of medications given in the ER to relieve your symptoms. These may be given intravenously. The exact combination of medications may vary for each patient, but may include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Magnesium.
Antinausea medication.
Antihistamines.
IV fluids.
Other migraine-specific medications.

If you’ve experienced migraines before, a cocktail of certain medications may help relieve your symptoms. Providers should know this and other important information about your medical history. However, when you are in the middle of a disabling migraine, it may be difficult to relay this information accurately. This is where a migraine kit comes in.

The Importance of a Migraine Kit

An emergency migraine kit contains important information that helps your ER provider treat your migraine. A key part of a kit is a binder or folder containing relevant and essential medical information, including:

Your primary care provider’s name and contact information.
Your medication allergies.
Your past and current medications.
Your treatment protocols.

Additionally, include tinted glasses in your kit to protect your eyes from the bright lighting commonly used in the ER. Bring earplugs to reduce noise and a bottle of water to stay hydrated.

It would be best to have someone—a friend, family member, or your partner—in the emergency room. Having them there will not only make you feel better—it’s also practical. They can take notes if you cannot and share any information or symptoms you may have experienced with your provider. They can also help you get home safely.

How Can I Prevent a Migraine?

Although migraines can’t be “cured,” they can be managed in several ways:

Knowing the triggers that cause migraines and avoiding those triggers is important.

Stress management techniques like yoga or meditation may help some patients.

Pain medication can help to stop migraines or manage symptoms so patients can function.

Certain migraine treatment medications can help reduce the frequency of migraines or prevent them.

BOTOX injections have also proven effective in helping many patients manage and prevent migraines and their symptoms.

If you are experiencing a severe headache or intractable migraine or are concerned about symptoms, visit Prestige ER. We are the preferred choice for prompt, expert emergency medical care in San Antonio. Our experienced ER team will ensure you receive the best treatment for migraines or other medical emergencies. Visit us at any of our locations today.