It’s always best to err on the side of caution, so listen to your body—and ask your doctor
While you may suffer from migraines from time to time and believe it’s fairly normal to do so, perhaps taking a cue from music superstar Kanye West and his team of physicians might be in order.
You see, on September 9, 2015, 37-year old rapper Kanye West was allegedly taken to Epworth Hospital in Australia where he was given an emergency MRI around 2pm after complaining of a migraine, according to Woman’s Day. This took place just hours before performing his final concert in Melbourne.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is an intense, throbbing headache, sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. According to the World Health Organization, migraine is characterized by:
- Headache of moderate or severe intensity
- Nausea (the most characteristic)
- One-sided and/or pulsating quality
- Aggravated by routine physical activity
- Duration of hours to 2-3 days
- Attack frequency is anywhere between once a year and once a week; in children, attacks tend to be of shorter duration and abdominal symptoms more prominent
Why was the celebrity whisked to the hospital?
Apparently the rapper, husband of Kim Kardashian, had been playing basketball earlier in the day and suffered a migraine, prompting doctors to perform an emergency MRI on the superstar. Fortunately, West did not have a major health scare or seizure. In fact, the ‘Yeezus’ tour continued as planned as West was released from the hospital around 4:30pm and kept his scheduled tour date that night.
I suffer from migraines, so why hasn’t my doctor prescribed an MRI?
If you are getting daily headaches or very common headaches, perhaps you should request an MRI. While an MRI cannot diagnose migraines, it can rule out other medical conditions that may include brain tumor, abscess (infection), hydrocephalus (the abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain), spinal cord problems, strokes and other injuries.
If you are suffering from migraines and choose to err on the side of caution, request an MRI to be more certain of the cause of your pain. Even if you are not a music superstar—or married to a reality-TV icon—it still is a wise choice when it comes to your overall health.
I have already had a CT scan, should I still request an MRI?
Again, as a patient, this is up to you to discuss with your doctor and request. An MRI is able to evaluate certain parts of the brain that are not easily viewed or evaluated with CT scans, and therefore may ease your concerns regarding other possible problems that may be causing your migraines. With this in mind, speak with your physician to determine the right choice for your particular case.
Regardless of your musical finesse and celebrity status, take the time to listen to your body and consult with your physician regarding your health. If you suffer from migraines, perhaps an MRI from POM MRI & Imaging Centers is just what the good doctor will order.