Berkshire Health Systems
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • COVID-19 Relief Fund for Berkshire Health Systems
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • About Us
  • Employment
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • BMC Parking Maps
  • Advocacy for Access
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • BHS Blood Drawing Stations
  • BHS Bloodmobile
  • BHS Community Benefits Implementation Plan
  • BHS News
  • BHS Privacy Practices
  • BMC Community Benefits Report FY 2018
  • Fairview Hospital FY 2018 Community Benefit Report
  • BMC Medical Interpreters
  • Community Outreach Program
  • County Health Needs Assessment
  • Financial Counseling/Ayuda Financiera
  • Helpful Patient Tools
  • Medical Interpreters at Fairview
  • MedlinePlus
  • MedlinePlus en Espanol
  • One Medical Passport
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • Pre-Surgical Assessment
  • Request a Medical Record
  • Send a Patient Greeting
  • Wellness Works Website - For BHS Employees & Spouses
  • Worksite Wellness
Berkshire Health Systems
  • Programs & Services
    • Addiction Services
    • Anesthesiology
    • Bariatrics
    • Better Start
    • Cancer Care
    • Cardiology
    • Diabetes Care
    • Emergency Care
    • Endoscopy
    • Healthy Steps
    • Home Care
    • Hospitalists
    • Kidney & Dialysis
    • Laboratory Services
    • Maternity
    • Neurology
    • Neurosurgery
    • Occupational Med
    • Orthopedics
    • Outreach
    • Pain Management
    • Pharmacy
    • Psychiatry
    • Pulmonary Care
    • Radiology
    • Rehabilitation
    • Sleep Disorders
    • Sports Medicine
    • Stroke Care
    • Surgery
    • Trauma Care
    • Travel Medicine
    • Urgent Care
    • Urology
    • Wellness
    • WIC Program
    • Women's Imaging
    • Wound Care
    • Patient & Visitor Information
    • Quality Care & Patient Safety
    • Calendar & Events
    • News
    • Maps & Directions
    • Ways to Give
    • Health Encyclopedia
    • Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA
    • Fairview Hospital, Great Barrington, MA
    • Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
    • BHS Survey Module
  • Locations
    • Berkshire Medical Center
    • Fairview Hospital
    • North Adams Campus of BMC
    • BMC & Fairview Physician Practices
    • Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association
    • BHS Urgent Care
    • Long Term Care
    • BHS Laboratory - Blood Drawing Stations
  • Find a Physician
  • BHS Physician Practices
  • Medical Education
    • Message from Dr. Alex Sabo
    • Internal Medicine Residency
    • Surgery Residency
    • Osteopathic Medical Education
    • Psychiatry Residency
    • Dentistry Residency
    • Medical Students
    • Continuing Medical Education
    • School of Medical Technology
    • Schwartz Center Rounds
  • Coronavirus Information Kiosk
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • COVID-19 Relief Fund for Berkshire Health Systems
  • Pay Your Bill Online
  • About Us
  • Employment
Migraines: How to Treat Them Pittsfield, Massachusetts (MA) - Berkshire Health Systems
  1. Home
  2. Programs & Services
  3. Community Outreach Program
  4. Health Take-Away
  5. Migraines: How to Treat Them

Health Take-Away

Health Take-Away

  • Alcohol's Impact on Breast Cancer Risk
  • Acupuncture Can Help with Relief in Breast Cancer Care
  • Breast Reconstruction Surgery Journey is Personal
  • Building Your Immunity during COVID-19
  • Emotional Toll of COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Anti-Body Testing: What It Tells You What It Won't
  • Treating Varicose Veins
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: What is OMM
  • Know Your Audiology Options
  • Pets as Therapists
  • Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder
  • Be Kind to Your Heart
  • Headache Care
  • Managing Presenteeism
  • Don't Struggle with Resolutions
  • Enjoy the Holidays Through the Gift of Giving
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Save a Life, Lift Your Soul, Give Blood
  • Team Approach for Breast Cancer
  • Surviving Breast Cancer: A Journey
  • Hunger in the Berkshires
  • Vaccinations Help Avoid Needless Risks
  • Embrace Mindfulness
  • Low Carb High Fat Diet has Benefits
  • Probiotics Uses the Good Bugs to Fight the Bad Ones
  • Use the Power of Nature for Better Health
  • Unplug from Online for Better Health
  • Weight Loss Through Narrowing Your Eating Window
  • Mammography and Dense Breast Tissue
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction Disorder
  • Smoker or Former Smoker? Lung Cancer Screening is Recommended for You
  • Be Safe When Using Over the Counter Medications
  • Screenings for Colon Cancer
  • Thyroid Health Essential to Metabolism
  • Go for Nutrition that is Heart Healthy
  • High Blood Pressure and Ways to Lower It
  • Hospitalists: Your Around the Clock Caregiver
  • Weight Loss Surgery Has Lasting Impact
  • Can you Find Joy in the Holidays When Sick?
  • Coping with Holiday Depression
  • When Quitting Smoking You May Need to Try and Try Again
  • Vaginal Birth after C-Section
  • New Tool to Assess Breast Cancer Risk
  • Migraines: How to Treat Them
  • Vestibular Care: It's All in Your Ears
  • Prepare for a Healthy Trip Abroad
  • New Moms Encouraged to Breast Feed
  • Language Diversity Important to Healthcare
  • Latest Advances in Joint Replacement
  • Vaping and Nicotine Addiction
  • Urgent Care or Emergency Department
  • Free Medicare Wellness Visit
  • Rehabilitation from Stroke Onset
  • Life Threatening Stroke Can be Prevented
  • Mammography and MRI for Women with High Risk of Breast Cancer
  • Breaking the Silence on Kidney Disease
  • Stop Mindless Eating
  • Hospitals Working to Improve Heart Health
  • Your Healthy Gut Bacteria
  • Give Up Smoking in 2018
  • Healthy Resolutions for 2018
  • Healthy Giving for 2017
  • Concussions: Myths and Truths
  • Celebrate a Thankful & Healthy Holiday
  • Don't Die of Embarrassment: Get Screened for Colon Cancer
  • Don't Let the Flu Get You This Season
  • Advanced Cardiac Imaging
  • Chronic Wound Care
  • What is a Hospitalist?
  • Healthy Heart Rhythms
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Men's Health In Crisis
  • Prevent Stroke or Respond FAST
  • Walking to Good Health
  • Healing Through Acupuncture
  • Self Care is Our Future
  • Family Wellness - Play Together Stay Healthy Together
  • Rewriting Your Book of Life
  • Pre-Diabetes: A Wake-Up Call for Better Health
  • Overcoming Crisis With Resiliency
  • Stepping Off the Slippery Slope
  • Sleep & Wellness: Learning to Cherish Your Sleep
  • Kicking the Habit and Ending the Fear
  • High Blood Pressure: One of the Few Things in Life We Can Control
  • Friendship is Powerful Medicine
  • It's Flu Season: Get the Vaccine!
  • The Healing Power of Gratitude
  • Where's the Joy?
  • New Year's Resolutions to Live By
  • Preventing Falls: A Leading Health Risk for the Older Population
  • Staying Healthy in the Office
  • Exercising at Home and Staying Fit in the Winter
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation: Regaining a Healthier and Better Life
  • Nutrition & Exercise: Two Great Gifts for Children
  • A Screening That Has Saved More than a Million Lives
  • How Walking Can Change Your Life
  • Injury-Free Sports & Activities
  • Have a Healthy Summer
  • Head to a Farmers' Market
  • Just Breathe
  • Lyme Disease Facts
  • Mindful Eating
  • Empathy in Healthcare
  • Preparing Your Family for an Emergency
  • Helping Someone to Cope with Opioid Addiction
  • Breast Cancer Awareness: Mammograms Save Lives
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Giving Thanks
  • Healthy Holidays
  • Alcohol's Impact on Breast Cancer Risk
  • Acupuncture Can Help with Relief in Breast Cancer Care
  • Breast Reconstruction Surgery Journey is Personal
  • Building Your Immunity during COVID-19
  • Emotional Toll of COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Anti-Body Testing: What It Tells You What It Won't
  • Treating Varicose Veins
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: What is OMM
  • Know Your Audiology Options
  • Pets as Therapists
  • Reducing the Stigma of Substance Use Disorder
  • Be Kind to Your Heart
  • Headache Care
  • Managing Presenteeism
  • Don't Struggle with Resolutions
  • Enjoy the Holidays Through the Gift of Giving
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Save a Life, Lift Your Soul, Give Blood
  • Team Approach for Breast Cancer
  • Surviving Breast Cancer: A Journey
  • Hunger in the Berkshires
  • Vaccinations Help Avoid Needless Risks
  • Embrace Mindfulness
  • Low Carb High Fat Diet has Benefits
  • Probiotics Uses the Good Bugs to Fight the Bad Ones
  • Use the Power of Nature for Better Health
  • Unplug from Online for Better Health
  • Weight Loss Through Narrowing Your Eating Window
  • Mammography and Dense Breast Tissue
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction Disorder
  • Smoker or Former Smoker? Lung Cancer Screening is Recommended for You
  • Be Safe When Using Over the Counter Medications
  • Screenings for Colon Cancer
  • Thyroid Health Essential to Metabolism
  • Go for Nutrition that is Heart Healthy
  • High Blood Pressure and Ways to Lower It
  • Hospitalists: Your Around the Clock Caregiver
  • Weight Loss Surgery Has Lasting Impact
  • Can you Find Joy in the Holidays When Sick?
  • Coping with Holiday Depression
  • When Quitting Smoking You May Need to Try and Try Again
  • Vaginal Birth after C-Section
  • New Tool to Assess Breast Cancer Risk
  • Migraines: How to Treat Them
  • Vestibular Care: It's All in Your Ears
  • Prepare for a Healthy Trip Abroad
  • New Moms Encouraged to Breast Feed
  • Language Diversity Important to Healthcare
  • Latest Advances in Joint Replacement
  • Vaping and Nicotine Addiction
  • Urgent Care or Emergency Department
  • Free Medicare Wellness Visit
  • Rehabilitation from Stroke Onset
  • Life Threatening Stroke Can be Prevented
  • Mammography and MRI for Women with High Risk of Breast Cancer
  • Breaking the Silence on Kidney Disease
  • Stop Mindless Eating
  • Hospitals Working to Improve Heart Health
  • Your Healthy Gut Bacteria
  • Give Up Smoking in 2018
  • Healthy Resolutions for 2018
  • Healthy Giving for 2017
  • Concussions: Myths and Truths
  • Celebrate a Thankful & Healthy Holiday
  • Don't Die of Embarrassment: Get Screened for Colon Cancer
  • Don't Let the Flu Get You This Season
  • Advanced Cardiac Imaging
  • Chronic Wound Care
  • What is a Hospitalist?
  • Healthy Heart Rhythms
  • Wellness Coaching
  • Men's Health In Crisis
  • Prevent Stroke or Respond FAST
  • Walking to Good Health
  • Healing Through Acupuncture
  • Self Care is Our Future
  • Family Wellness - Play Together Stay Healthy Together
  • Rewriting Your Book of Life
  • Pre-Diabetes: A Wake-Up Call for Better Health
  • Overcoming Crisis With Resiliency
  • Stepping Off the Slippery Slope
  • Sleep & Wellness: Learning to Cherish Your Sleep
  • Kicking the Habit and Ending the Fear
  • High Blood Pressure: One of the Few Things in Life We Can Control
  • Friendship is Powerful Medicine
  • It's Flu Season: Get the Vaccine!
  • The Healing Power of Gratitude
  • Where's the Joy?
  • New Year's Resolutions to Live By
  • Preventing Falls: A Leading Health Risk for the Older Population
  • Staying Healthy in the Office
  • Exercising at Home and Staying Fit in the Winter
  • Cardiac Rehabilitation: Regaining a Healthier and Better Life
  • Nutrition & Exercise: Two Great Gifts for Children
  • A Screening That Has Saved More than a Million Lives
  • How Walking Can Change Your Life
  • Injury-Free Sports & Activities
  • Have a Healthy Summer
  • Head to a Farmers' Market
  • Just Breathe
  • Lyme Disease Facts
  • Mindful Eating
  • Empathy in Healthcare
  • Preparing Your Family for an Emergency
  • Helping Someone to Cope with Opioid Addiction
  • Breast Cancer Awareness: Mammograms Save Lives
  • Antibiotic Resistance
  • Lung Cancer Screening
  • Giving Thanks
  • Healthy Holidays

Migraines: How to Treat Them

Millions of migraine sufferers do so needlessly
By Emma Weiskopf, M.D., and Kay Hanley, F.N.P – B.C. 

Migraine is the third most prevalent and sixth most disabling illness in the world, affecting some 39 million people in the U.S. alone. And yet, fewer than 20 percent of chronic migraine sufferers are being properly diagnosed and treated, which means that millions are needlessly enduring the debilitating effects of this widespread neurological disease. What feels like hopeless agony is actually highly treatable. That’s why primary care doctors and neurology specialists everywhere are stepping up efforts to diagnose and prescribe treatment for this often brutal, but quite manageable condition.

Anyone who has ever experienced migraines, or knows someone who has, is painfully aware of just how excruciating and incapacitating the attacks can be.  It’s not just one of those nagging tension headaches that goes away after taking a couple of ibuprofens. A migraine comes on hard and doesn’t let up, unfazed by over-the-counter pain relievers. It’s characterized by moderate to severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, like an endless drumbeat, usually on one side of the head. The pain may worsen with activity, like walking upstairs. Migraines often are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. About a third of migraine sufferers also experience what’s called an aura, with flashing lights or zig-zag lines, difficulty speaking, and weakness or some loss of sensation in parts of their body. Most migraines can last anywhere from four to 72 hours.

While most sufferers experience attacks once or twice a month, more than four million people in the U.S. have chronic daily migraine, with at least 15 migraine days per month. More than 90 percent of migraine sufferers are unable to work or function normally during the ordeal. Even performing the simplest physical task or trying to think clearly can be overwhelming.  The resulting lost work performance, lost pay, lost family and recreational time, and overall reduction in the quality of life greatly compound the distress of the disease.

Migraines, which are three times more prevalent in women then mem, tend to run in families. The condition sometimes presents itself during childhood, but most often in early adulthood. The headaches sometimes lessen later in life, but can strike at any time. While migraines can be triggered by a number of factors including alcohol, certain foods, caffeine, environmental causes such as temperature or pressure changes, hormonal changes, hunger, or lack of sleep, they are most commonly triggered by stress, as are tension headaches.

The key to treating a migraine is to act on it as early as possible, within 15 to 30 minutes of the onset of symptoms. A family of prescription-strength drugs called triptans has been specifically designed to treat migraines.  They come in pill form and are taken as needed as soon as the patient senses the warning symptoms.  The goal is to get rid of the migraine within two hours and not allow it to recur. Special injection treatments, performed by a primary care doctor or neurologist, also have been developed to prevent the onset of migraines in chronic sufferers.

So relief is at hand for people with migraines. It’s really a matter of properly diagnosing and treating them.  Studies have shown that approximately half of the people who experience migraines have never been diagnosed by a physician, and less than half of those who have been diagnosed use prescription medication to deal with the pain.

For those of us in the medical field, migraine is a disease that can appear more painful and debilitating than most anything else we encounter. But knowing pharmacological treatments are readily available to mitigate and end that suffering, we find it very rewarding to help patients emerge from their needless affliction and resume active, healthy lives.

Emma Weiskopf, M.D., and Kay Hanley, a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner, are migraine specialists with Neurology Professional Services at Berkshire Medical Center.

 

  •   (413) 447-2000
  •   Email - General Inquiries Only
  •   Email - BMC Patient Experience
  •   Email - BHS Physician Practices
  •   Email - Fairview Hospital Inquiries
  • Employment at BHS
  • About Us
  • 2018 BMC Report on Cancer
  • Quality Care & Patient Safety
  • Berkshire Patient Portal
  • Awards & Accreditations
  • BHS Community Outreach
  • BHS Bloodmobile
  • BMC FY 2018 Community Benefits Report
  • Fairview FY 2018 Community Benefits Report
  • Ways to Give
  • Give Us Your Feedback

© 2021 Berkshire Health Systems

725 North Street

Pittsfield, MA 01201

  • News
  • Privacy Practices
  • Practicas De Privacidad
  • Site Map
  • BHS Privacy Practices
  • Contact Us