Quick answer
What is migraine?
A migraine is more than a headache. It usually causes a moderate-to-severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and can come with feeling sick, being sick and sensitivity to light or sound. Most attacks last between 4 hours and 3 days.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is a common health condition that causes recurring attacks of head pain, often with other symptoms. It is thought to involve temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Migraines can run in families and are more common in women.
Symptoms
The main symptom is usually an intense, throbbing pain — often on one side of the head — that can be made worse by movement. Many people also experience:
- feeling sick or being sick
- increased sensitivity to light, sound or smells
- needing to lie down in a dark, quiet room
Some people get warning signs before an attack, known as an aura. This is most often visual, such as flashing lights or blind spots, and usually passes within an hour.
What causes migraines and common triggers
The exact cause is not fully understood. Attacks are often set off by triggers, which vary from person to person. Common ones include stress, tiredness, missed meals, dehydration, hormonal changes around periods, and certain foods or drinks. Identifying and managing your own triggers — for example by keeping a migraine diary — is one of the most useful things you can do.
Treatment
Treatment generally has two aims: easing attacks when they happen, and reducing how often they occur. Many people manage occasional migraines with rest and over-the-counter painkillers taken as early as possible in the attack. A pharmacist can advise on suitable options.
If migraines are frequent or severe, a GP may suggest specific migraine medicines or preventive treatments. Do not take painkillers very frequently, as this can lead to “medication-overuse” headaches — a GP can advise on safe limits.
Living with migraines
Simple habits can help reduce attacks: regular sleep, regular meals, staying hydrated, managing stress and limiting known triggers. Tracking your attacks helps you and your GP find the most effective approach for you.
Common questions
- Is a migraine the same as a bad headache?
- No. A migraine is a neurological condition that usually causes throbbing pain alongside other symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Tension headaches feel more like a constant band of pressure and do not usually cause these extra symptoms.
- What is a migraine aura?
- An aura is a set of warning symptoms some people get before a migraine, usually visual — flashing lights, blind spots or zig-zag patterns — and sometimes tingling or speech difficulty. It typically lasts up to an hour. Not everyone with migraine gets an aura.
- What are common migraine triggers?
- Triggers differ between people but often include stress, tiredness or too much sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, hormonal changes, bright lights and certain foods or drinks. Keeping a diary of attacks can help you spot your own patterns.
- Can migraines be cured?
- There is no cure, but migraines can usually be managed well. This may involve avoiding known triggers, treating attacks early with suitable painkillers, and, for frequent migraines, preventive treatments prescribed by a doctor.