Living with migraine

Overview

A migraine is a common brain condition that causes severe headaches, often with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other symptoms. It is not just a bad headache – it is a neurological condition that can affect your whole body.

Yes. Migraine is one of the most common health conditions in the world. Around 1 in 7 people experience migraine.

Migraine can affect anyone, but it is about 3 times more common in women than in men. It often starts in the teenage years or early adulthood.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
• Feeling very tired or weak
• Blurred vision or seeing flashing lights (aura)

Causes

Main causes

• The exact cause isn't fully known, but it's thought to be related to temporary changes in brain activity and chemicals like serotonin.
• Certain triggers can set off an attack in people who are prone to migraine, such as stress, hormonal changes, irregular sleep, skipping meals, bright lights, loud noises, or changes in weather.
• Some foods and drinks, like alcohol, caffeine, aged cheeses, or processed foods, may also trigger migraine in some people.

Risk factors

• Family history (migraine often runs in families)
• Being female
• Being under stress or having anxiety
• Having irregular sleep or meal routines

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have a headache with any emergency signs, call your local emergency number or go to a hospital right away.
• If your headache feels different or more severe than your usual migraines, seek medical care the same day.

Book a routine appointment if:

• See your healthcare provider for a check-up if you have frequent headaches (more than a few times a month).
• See your healthcare provider if your migraines make it hard to work, study, or do daily activities.
• See your healthcare provider if you need to take pain medicine more than 2 days a week.

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, how often they happen, and what triggers them. They may also examine you. There is no scan or blood test for migraine alone, but your doctor may arrange tests to rule out other causes.

Tests that may be done

• No specific test is needed for most migraines.
• Your doctor may do a physical exam.
• In some cases, an imaging test like a CT or MRI scan, or blood tests, may be used to check for other conditions.

What to expect at your appointment

The doctor will likely ask you to keep a headache diary (recording when attacks happen, what you ate, how you slept) to identify patterns and triggers.

Treatment

Migraine treatment has two goals: to stop an attack once it starts, and to prevent attacks from happening as often or as severely. A healthcare provider can help you find a plan that works for you.

Self-care at home

• Rest in a quiet, dark room
• Place a cold or warm compress on your head or neck
• Stay hydrated by sipping water
• Sip a small amount of caffeine if it helps in the early stage (but avoid too much)
• Try relaxation, deep breathing, or gentle stretching

Medical treatments

Medicines used for migraine include pain relievers, anti-nausea medicines, triptans (a class of medicines that target migraine pathways), and preventive medicines taken regularly (like beta-blockers, antidepressants, or CGRP inhibitors). Your doctor will prescribe the right one based on your health and needs. Never take someone else's medicine. Also, occasional treatment options such as nerve stimulation devices may be available – ask your provider.

Living with this condition

Living with migraine means learning to manage a chronic condition. It can help to plan around potential triggers, keep a schedule, and be kind to yourself on difficult days.

Lifestyle tips

• Keep a regular sleep schedule
• Eat meals at regular times
• Manage stress with mindfulness or relaxation exercises
• Stay active with moderate exercise
• Limit caffeine and alcohol

Diet and exercise

Try to eat balanced meals and stay hydrated. Skipping meals can trigger migraine. Regular, moderate exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling may help reduce the frequency of attacks. Start slowly to avoid overexertion.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Migraine can be frustrating and isolating. It may cause anxiety about when the next attack will happen, or low mood if attacks interfere with work or family. These feelings are valid. It's important to talk to your healthcare provider about your emotional health too.

Prevention

Migraine cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Many people can reduce the number of attacks by identifying and avoiding triggers, and by taking preventive treatment if prescribed by a doctor.

Complications

If left untreated

• Frequent, untreated migraine can affect your quality of life, work, school, and relationships.
• Very rarely, a severe headache can be a sign of another medical problem, which is why it's important to seek medical advice for new or changing headache patterns.

Long-term outlook

With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, most people with migraine can live full and active lives. Migraine attacks tend to become less frequent with age for many people, and new treatments are constantly being developed. You are not alone, and there is real help available.

Find support

External links open third-party websites. Ruqelo Health is not responsible for external content. Listing an organisation does not imply endorsement.