Headache and Migraine
If headaches are disrupting your work, sleep, or daily life, you don't have to just live with them. The neurology team at Saint Joseph Health System helps patients across Mishawaka and South Bend find the cause of their headaches and build a plan to reduce how often and how severely they happen.
Schedule an appointment or call 574-335-6450.
Neuromuscular Conditions Sleep Disorders
Migraine with aura and visual symptoms
Some people notice visual changes before or during a headache — flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots, or shimmering patterns. This is often a migraine with aura, and the term "ocular migraine" is commonly used for these visual symptoms. While they can be alarming, they are frequently harmless and pass on their own. Even so, sudden or brand-new visual changes should always be checked, because they can occasionally signal something more serious. Your neurologist can help you tell the difference and make sure your symptoms are properly evaluated.
When to see a neurologist
Consider an evaluation if your headaches are frequent, getting worse, unresponsive to over-the-counter medicine, or interfering with your daily life. Seek emergency care or call 911 for a sudden "worst headache of your life," or a headache with confusion, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, vision loss, a stiff neck with fever, or one that follows a head injury.
How we diagnose and treat
Your neurologist starts with a detailed history and a neurological exam, and may ask you to keep a simple headache diary to pinpoint triggers and patterns. In some cases, imaging such as an MRI is used to rule out other causes. [VERIFY imaging on-site] Treatment is tailored to your diagnosis and may include acute medications to stop a headache once it starts, preventive medications to make attacks less frequent, and lifestyle strategies around sleep, hydration, stress, and trigger avoidance. For certain patients, advanced migraine therapies may be appropriate. [VERIFY Botox/CGRP] Existing patients can message the neurology team anytime through MyChart.
Frequently asked questions
A migraine is a neurological condition, often disabling, with throbbing pain and nausea or light and sound sensitivity. A tension headache is usually milder, band-like pressure.
It's a term often used for the visual symptoms of migraine — such as flashing lights, zigzags, or a blind spot — that can happen with or without head pain. These are usually temporary, but new or sudden visual changes should be evaluated.
Not always. Many headaches blamed on "sinus problems" are actually migraines. A neurologist can help sort out which one you have so treatment targets the real cause.
Common triggers include stress, poor sleep, dehydration, skipped meals, screen strain, certain foods, and hormonal changes — though some headaches have medical causes that need evaluation.
There is no cure, but they can usually be well controlled with the right combination of treatment and lifestyle changes.
Some plans require one; check with your insurer and primary care office. [VERIFY]