Headaches are extremely common, and most range from mild to moderate in intensity. They are easily treated with pain relievers that can be purchased over the counter.
But some headaches can be migraines which typically range from moderate to severe in intensity. Their duration can last anywhere from a few hours to several days.
When you have a migraine, it is often impossible to carry on with your normal activities. But what does treatment look like for a migraine? And, if you need treatment from a medical professional, you may wonder, can urgent care treat migraines?
In many cases, people with a migraine will try to opt for treatment at home. However, some are so severe that you might need medical attention. In this article, you will find out whether or not urgent care centers are equipped to treat migraines.
Can Urgent Care Treat Migraines?
Yes, urgent care can treat migraines. You may be able to get treatment for migraines in an urgent care center.
Your urgent care physician may be able to provide relief for some of the most bothersome symptoms associated with your migraine.
An urgent care physician may be able to administer an injectable medication that will relieve your nausea, as well as an injectable anti-inflammatory medication that will alleviate the pain you are experiencing.
When used appropriately, steroid injections can be an effective method of relieving the symptoms of migraines.
What Is A Migraine Emergency?
Even though migraines are not considered life-threatening, sufferers of this condition still require urgent medical attention.
There are several different kinds of migraine emergencies, and each one can be debilitating in its own way. An emergency migraine attack will typically feel very different from a typical migraine, and you may find that your symptoms are strange and difficult to understand.
According to Very Well Health, migraine emergencies include:
- A migraine that persists for at least three days without responding to the typical treatment for migraines.
- Migraines associated with severe nausea and vomiting.
- Migraine with neurological symptoms that are new or persistent.
- A significant shift in your symptoms or the worst headache you’ve ever experienced.
- Headaches associated with a fever and a stiff neck.
- Stroke triggered by migraine
Benefits of Urgent Care Treatment For Migraines
Numerous urgent care centers provide various diagnostic services, including digital X-rays, laboratory tests (such as blood and urine), and electrocardiography (EKG).
Suppose you want to avoid the excessive medical bills and lengthy wait times associated with emergency room visits. In that case, one option to try is to visit an urgent care facility instead of going to an emergency room. Patients who are insured and those who do not have insurance should consider utilizing urgent care because it can be a more cost-effective and affordable option.
Urgent care clinics typically work with most major insurance providers, but they also provide reasonable and transparent pricing for patients who pay out of pocket.
In addition to this, urgent care centers are typically less crowded than emergency rooms in hospitals. That results in shorter wait times, making it possible for you to be seen by a healthcare provider much more quickly. In addition, patients are typically discharged from urgent care clinics in a shorter amount of time.
Finally, it is important to remember that some urgent care clinics are staffed by emergency medicine specialists, the same type of medical personnel that treats patients in emergency rooms. Thus, you may rest assured that the same standard of care will be provided.
To sum it up, yes. Urgent care centers can be a good place to treat severe migraines. However, if you suffer from frequent, prolonged migraines, you’ll likely be better off visiting a physician who specializes in treating them.