Are Migraines Affecting Your Life?

Understanding & Overcoming Migraines: A Functional Medicine Approach

By Dr. Lisa Ballehr

Migraines affect millions of people in the United States. While some experience them occasionally, others endure chronic migraines multiple times a week, disrupting their daily lives.

If you’ve been struggling with migraines, you need more than just temporary relief—you need answers. The key to lasting relief is identifying and addressing the root cause rather than simply masking symptoms with medication.

A functional medicine approach looks deeper into the factors that trigger, intensify, and prolong migraines, helping you regain control over your health.

Let’s explore the causes, triggers, and natural solutions for migraines—and how a functional medicine doctor can help you find real, lasting relief.

What Are Migraines?

Migraines can vary in severity and symptoms, but most people experience:
✔️ Severe, throbbing pain (often on one side of the head)
✔️ Sensitivity to light and sound
✔️ Nausea and/or vomiting
✔️ Worsening pain with movement or physical activity

Many people rely on medications—either preventative or acute pain relief—to manage migraines. However, this doesn’t address the underlying cause, which is why functional medicine offers a more effective long-term solution.

How Are Migraines Different from Headaches?

🟢 Headaches – Typically last a few hours, can be relieved with water, rest, or medication, and are less intense than migraines.

🔴 Migraines – Last 4 to 72 hours, may not respond to standard pain relievers, and can occur 8+ days per month for chronic sufferers.

Migraines are a neurological disorder, not just a simple headache. Understanding your unique triggers is the first step toward reducing their frequency and severity.

Types of Migraines

Migraines are not one-size-fits-all—there are several types, each with unique symptoms.

🌀 Migraine with Aura – About 25% of migraine sufferers experience visual disturbances (zigzags, black dots) or numbness before the migraine begins.

💢 Migraine without Aura – The most common type, characterized by severe pulsating pain, nausea, and light sensitivity.

😵 Silent Migraine (Migraine Without Head Pain) – Symptoms like dizziness and aura occur without the usual headache pain.

🦠 Hemiplegic Migraine – Can mimic a stroke, causing temporary weakness on one side of the body.

👁 Retinal Migraine – Involves temporary vision loss in one eye but resolves within a few hours.

🔥 Chronic Migraine – More than 15 migraine days per month, with varying severity.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time to dig deeper into what’s triggering your migraines.

Are Migraines Genetic?

🔬 Genetics can play a role in migraines. However, environment and lifestyle choices can significantly impact whether those genes are activated or suppressed.

This is good news! It means that by modifying diet, lifestyle, and stress levels, you can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines—even if you have a genetic predisposition.

Common Migraine Triggers & Natural Solutions

1. Stress & Migraines

Chronic stress alters brain function, increases cortisol, and creates an environment that triggers migraines.

✔️ Natural Stress Management Techniques:

Practice deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
Keep a gratitude journal to shift focus from stressors.
Limit exposure to toxic environments or relationships.

👉 The less stress your body carries, the fewer migraines you’ll experience.

2. Hormone Imbalance & Menstrual Migraines

🚺 Women experience migraines more frequently than men—often due to estrogen fluctuations.

🔹 Drops in estrogen before menstruation can trigger migraines.
🔹 Hormonal testing can identify irregularities contributing to migraine episodes.

✔️ Ways to Balance Hormones Naturally:

Eat hormone-balancing foods (cruciferous veggies, healthy fats, fiber).
Reduce endocrine disruptors (avoid plastics, artificial fragrances, and pesticides).
Manage stress—cortisol imbalances worsen hormone fluctuations.

👉 If your migraines happen around your menstrual cycle, hormone imbalances could be the culprit.

3. Blood Sugar & Insulin Fluctuations

🔬 Studies show higher fasting glucose levels in migraine sufferers—suggesting blood sugar instability plays a role in triggering attacks.

✔️ Ways to Support Blood Sugar Balance:

Eat balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Limit refined sugars & processed foods.
Exercise regularly to improve insulin sensitivity.
Get quality sleep to regulate metabolism.

👉 Blood sugar spikes and crashes can lead to migraines—keep levels stable for fewer attacks.

4. Food-Triggered Migraines

🚨 Certain foods can trigger migraines due to their effect on histamine, neurotransmitters, or blood flow.

🔴 Common Food Triggers:

Aged cheeses
Chocolate & caffeine
Alcohol (especially red wine)
Processed meats (high in nitrates)
Artificial sweeteners & MSG

✔️ How to Identify Your Food Triggers:
📝 Keep a migraine journal—track your meals & symptoms.
🚫 Eliminate potential triggers for 4–6 weeks and observe improvements.

👉 Your diet plays a huge role in migraine frequency—small changes can make a big impact!

How Functional Medicine Can Help with Migraines

Functional medicine goes beyond symptom relief to uncover the root cause of your migraines.

🔍 Comprehensive Lab Testing:
✅ Hormone Panels – Identify imbalances triggering migraines.
✅ Blood Sugar & Insulin Testing – Detect metabolic issues.
✅ Food Sensitivity Testing – Pinpoint inflammatory triggers.
✅ Gut Health Analysis – Address imbalances contributing to neuroinflammation.

Unlike conventional medicine, which primarily relies on medications, functional medicine treats the underlying cause.

Work with Dr. Lisa Ballehr for Lasting Migraine Relief

🔹 Dr. Lisa Ballehr, a Functional Medicine Doctor in Mesa, AZ, specializes in identifying and treating migraine root causes.

If you’re tired of popping painkillers and masking symptoms, it’s time for a new approach.

📞 She offers telehealth consultations across multiple states!
👉 Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Ballehr Today.

Final Thoughts

Migraines are debilitating, but they don’t have to control your life. By identifying your triggers, balancing hormones, supporting gut health, and managing stress, you can reduce or even eliminate migraines altogether.

💡 Don’t just mask symptoms—take control of your health today!

📞 Contact Dr. Lisa Ballehr to find lasting relief from migraines.