Migraine Headaches in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Migraines are a common and often disabling type of headache for many people living in Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan. They can occur as rarely as once or twice a year or as often as several times a week. The pain is typically severe, throbbing, and usually affects one side of the head.

A migraine attack can last anywhere from 4 hours to 3 days. Current research suggests migraines involve changes in brain activity and blood vessels, as well as nerve pathways that process pain.

Women are affected more often than men. In the United States, about three times as many women as men experience migraine, and hormones are believed to play a major role.

How Migraine Headaches Differ From Other Headaches

Migraines have a distinct pattern of symptoms that set them apart from tension headaches or sinus headaches. In Grand Rapids migraine clinics and neurology practices, doctors often look for the following features.

Common Migraine Symptoms

Migraine symptoms can include:

  • Moderate to severe, throbbing or pulsating head pain
  • Pain usually on one side of the head (but it can affect both sides)
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  • Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)
  • Sensitivity to smells and touch
  • Visual changes, sometimes called an “aura” (such as flashing lights, blind spots, zigzag lines)
  • Numbness or tingling of the face or extremities (hands and feet)
  • Difficulty concentrating or feeling “foggy”

If you experience sudden, severe headache with confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, or vision loss, seek emergency care at a Grand Rapids hospital such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health immediately, as these can be signs of a stroke or other serious condition.

What Causes Migraines?

No single cause has been identified. Migraine is believed to be an inherited neurological condition. Many people in West Michigan report a family history of migraines in a parent, sibling, or child.

Attacks are usually triggered by a combination of factors rather than one single cause.

Common Migraine Triggers

Triggers may include:

  • Relaxation after stress (“weekend migraines”)

    • For example, a high‑stress workweek in downtown Grand Rapids followed by sleeping in on Saturday can trigger an attack.

  • Overwork followed by sudden rest

    • Long shifts, deadlines, or overtime followed by a “crash” period.

  • Dietary triggers

    • Aged cheese
    • Chocolate
    • Citrus fruits
    • Alcohol, especially red wine
    • Skipped meals or dehydration (more common during hot, humid West Michigan summers)

  • Sleep changes

    • Too little sleep
    • Too much sleep
    • Irregular sleep schedules (common with shift work at hospitals or manufacturing plants in the Grand Rapids area)

  • Environmental and physical triggers

    • Excessive heat or humidity (summer in Grand Rapids)
    • Bright or flickering lights (including screens)
    • Strong smells (perfumes, cleaning chemicals)
    • Loud noise (concerts, sports events)

  • Emotional triggers

    • Stress at work or home
    • Excitement or emotional highs
    • Fatigue or burnout

  • Weather and seasonal changes

    • Rapid changes in barometric pressure around Lake Michigan
    • Cold, windy winters and frequent storm fronts moving through West Michigan

Not everyone with migraine will have the same triggers. Keeping a headache diary can help you and your Grand Rapids healthcare provider identify your personal patterns.

Hormones and Migraine: Why Women Are More Affected

Migraines affect more women than men, and many researchers believe that sex hormones—especially estrogen—play a key role.

Menstrual Migraine

For around half of women with migraine, attacks occur in the days just before or after their menstrual period. This is often called “menstrual migraine.”

  • Studies suggest that falling estrogen levels around the time of menstruation can trigger attacks.
  • Some women in Grand Rapids notice migraines are worse during certain phases of their menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, or around menopause.

If you suspect a link between your menstrual cycle and migraines, talk with your primary care provider, OB‑GYN, or a neurologist at a local health system such as Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health.

Migraine in Young Women

Young women, especially those in their teens, 20s, and 30s, are at particular risk for migraine. This is a common concern among college students at Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, and other area schools, as well as young professionals working in downtown Grand Rapids.

While there is no cure, effective treatment and prevention strategies can greatly reduce the number and severity of attacks and improve quality of life.

Migraine Treatment Options in Grand Rapids

There is no permanent cure for migraine, but many treatments can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Because migraines vary greatly from person to person, treatment plans are individualized.

Healthcare providers in Grand Rapids typically consider four main approaches:

1. Avoiding Trigger Factors

Identifying and avoiding triggers can be challenging because migraines are often caused by a combination of factors. Helpful strategies include:

  • Keeping a headache diary (recording foods, sleep, stress, weather, and symptoms)
  • Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
  • Staying hydrated, especially during hot, humid Michigan summers
  • Eating regular meals and avoiding known food triggers
  • Managing screen time and taking breaks from bright lights

2. Non‑Medication Therapies

Many people in West Michigan benefit from non‑drug approaches, often used along with medication:

  • Acupuncture (available at several integrative medicine clinics in Grand Rapids)
  • Relaxation techniques
    • Deep breathing
    • Progressive muscle relaxation
    • Guided imagery
  • Yoga and stretching
  • Meditation and mindfulness
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for stress and pain management
  • Biofeedback (sometimes offered by pain clinics or neurology practices)
  • Lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and consistent meal times

Some people also try:

  • Herbal or homeopathic remedies
    • Always discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist at a local Grand Rapids pharmacy to check for interactions with your other medications.

3. Acute (Rescue) Medications

These are taken at the first sign of a migraine to stop or lessen the attack:

  • Over‑the‑counter pain relievers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen)
  • Prescription migraine‑specific medications (such as triptans or gepants)
  • Anti‑nausea medications

In the past, medications like pethidine (a narcotic) were sometimes used for severe migraine, but these are now rarely recommended because they are addictive and less effective than modern migraine treatments.

If you have frequent or severe migraines, avoid relying regularly on opioid pain medicines or taking over‑the‑counter pain relievers more than 2–3 days per week, as this can lead to medication‑overuse headache.

4. Preventive (Daily) Medications

Preventive treatments are taken every day (or regularly) to reduce how often migraines occur and how severe they are. These may include:

  • Certain blood pressure medications
  • Some antidepressants
  • Anti‑seizure medications
  • CGRP (calcitonin gene–related peptide) inhibitors
  • Periodic injections (such as Botox) for chronic migraine

A neurologist or headache specialist in Grand Rapids can help determine which preventive option is best for you based on your health history and migraine pattern.

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids for Migraine

You should talk to your doctor or a neurologist if:

  • You have headaches more than once a week
  • Your headaches are severe or disabling (you miss work, school, or family activities)
  • Over‑the‑counter medicines do not help
  • Your headache pattern changes suddenly
  • You have migraine symptoms such as numbness, weakness, trouble speaking, or vision changes

Local Care Options

In Grand Rapids, migraine care is available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) neurology and headache clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health and affiliated clinics
  • Primary care providers and internal medicine practices throughout Kent County

For community health resources, education, and support, you can also contact:

  • Kent County Health Department
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs

If you experience a sudden, “worst headache of your life,” a headache after a head injury, or a headache with fever, stiff neck, confusion, or weakness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Living With Migraine in West Michigan

Managing migraine in Grand Rapids often means planning around our local climate and lifestyle:

  • Prepare for seasonal changes—storms off Lake Michigan and rapid pressure changes can be triggers.
  • Protect your eyes with sunglasses on bright, snowy winter days when light reflects off the snow.
  • Stay hydrated during hot, humid summers and keep cool when possible.
  • Build a support system with family, friends, and your healthcare team so they understand your condition and treatment plan.

Many people in Grand Rapids successfully manage their migraines with the right combination of lifestyle changes, trigger control, and medical treatment.

Key Points About Migraine

  • A migraine headache has different symptoms from other headaches, often including throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
  • Migraine symptoms can include numbness or tingling of the face, hands, or feet, visual changes, and sensitivity to smells and touch.
  • The exact cause of migraine is not fully understood, but it is likely an inherited neurological condition influenced by brain chemistry, hormones, and blood vessels.
  • Migraines affect more women than men, and sex hormones—especially estrogen—appear to play a major role.
  • There is no cure for migraine, but treatments—including lifestyle changes, non‑medication therapies, and modern medications—can significantly reduce the number and severity of attacks.
  • Residents of Grand Rapids, MI, have access to multiple high‑quality healthcare systems and specialists who can help diagnose and manage migraine effectively.