"Headaches every day:" Migraines, chronic headaches can steal your quality of life; but there are options

MILWAUKEE -- It is one of the most common medical complaints, and most of us will never seek help for our headaches. That's probably because we think they're normal, and that nothing can be done to ease the pain. But that's not always the case.

Many are familiar with the pounding head, the nausea, and the sensitivity to light and sound that can come with chronic headaches. Those who suffer know that a cure for these nagging headaches can be as mysterious as what's causing them.

"I started getting migraines in my 20s. My mother had them," Judy Skinner said.

Skinner once suffered through up to 15 migraines per month.

"It's been a long road for me," Skinner said.

On a rainy day, Skinner would be inside -- with a throbbing head.

"I didn't have the same energy level, the same enthusiasm," Skinner said.

From senior citizens, to seniors in high school -- the stories are the same.

"I was getting headaches probably about every day," Megan Moore said.

Moore was missing class every week, and couldn't study for finals.

"That's when I would have to go up to my room, shut all the lights off and just have no sound," Moore said.

Both Skinner and Moore eventually decided they'd suffered enough. Looking for relief from their pain, each of these women ended up at the Wheaton Franciscan Comprehensive Headache Center.

Martha Aregbesola, a nurse practitioner, tries to solve the mystery behind every headache.

"You can have headaches that are secondary to another underlying problem," Aregbesola said.

Aregbesola begins by looking at the patient's lifestyle.

"Getting to know your body, paying attention, keeping a headache diary," Aregbesola said.

Common triggers can include changes in weather, stress, too much sleep, too little sleep, menstrual cycle, dehydration, low blood sugar and certain foods.

"Aged cheeses. What are you drinking? Alcohol can trigger them. Caffeine can trigger them," Aregbesola said.

If that doesn't provide some answers, Aregbesola then looks for problems with the spine, like pinched nerves, herniated disks, or knots in the shoulders.

Treatment could involve medication, meeting with a psychologist, physical therapy, even BOTOX.

"So if we can sort of deal with the root program we sometimes can see the headaches get better," Aregbesola said.

Moore tried physical therapy and a few different medications before she found relief. She no longer has daily headaches -- just in time for her freshman year of college.

"Even if it's raining outside, I don't have to miss class because of that," Moore said.

For Skinner, it took five years to find the right drug. She says it was worth the wait.

"Memorial Day 2013. That was my last migraine. Isn't that something?" Skinner said.

When the pain finally leaves, these women say it's like freedom -- an opportunity to rejoin the living world.

If you're dealing with chronic headaches, you may want to consult a neurologist. It's possible you need more than over the counter drugs or supplements.

Experts say it's all about getting your quality of life back.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Wheaton Franciscan's Comprehensive Headache Center.