Migraine Care for Adults in the Bay Area

A migraine is a neurological condition that causes recurring headaches with moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head. Attacks frequently come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smells, and they can last from a few hours to a few days. Some people notice an aura, such as flashing lights or zigzag lines, in the minutes before the pain starts. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage migraine for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos.

What are the symptoms of migraine?

Migraine symptoms can build through several phases, from early warning signs to the headache itself and a recovery period afterward. Common signs include:

• Throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side of the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or strong smells
• Visual aura such as flashing lights, blind spots, or zigzag lines before the pain
• Pain that worsens with routine activity and eases with rest in a dark, quiet room
• Lingering fatigue, neck pain, or fogginess after the headache fades

Migraine and tension headache can feel similar at first, and telling them apart helps guide treatment:

Feature	Migraine	Tension headache
Pain type	Throbbing or pulsing	Steady pressure or tightness
Location	Often one side	Usually both sides
Intensity	Moderate to severe	Mild to moderate
Other symptoms	Nausea, light and sound sensitivity, sometimes aura	Usually none
Effect of activity	Often worsens	Usually no change

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat migraine?

At Avita MD, diagnosis starts with a careful history of your headaches and a neurologic exam. We review your pattern, triggers, and family history, and a headache diary helps pinpoint what sets your attacks off. Most migraines are diagnosed clinically without imaging, and we order a brain MRI or CT scan when warning signs suggest another cause. On-site lab testing lets us check for contributors such as thyroid problems or anemia in the same visit.

Treatment is tailored to how often and how severely you have attacks. We work with our migraine-treatments service to pair acute medication that stops an attack with preventive medication for frequent migraines, along with practical steps such as steady sleep, regular meals, hydration, and trigger avoidance. Same-day and next-day appointments mean a new or worsening headache can be seen quickly, and we track your response over time through longitudinal records so the plan keeps improving. When specialty neurology care is warranted, we coordinate the referral, including any prior authorization.

When should you see a doctor about migraine?

Make an appointment when headaches are frequent, interfere with work or daily life, or are not controlled by over-the-counter medication, and whenever your usual headache pattern changes. Seek urgent or emergency care, and call 911, for a sudden, severe thunderclap headache that peaks within seconds, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, or a headache accompanied by weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, vision loss, or confusion. These red flags can point to a serious problem and need immediate evaluation. For ongoing migraines, early and consistent care reduces how often attacks happen and helps you stay active and well.