Migraine is a neurological condition that involves intense headaches and symptoms such as nausea, tingling, numbness, sensitivity to light and sound, and a temporary lack of vision. The pain of a migraine can be debilitating.
The length of a migraine can range from a few hours to three days. Some people only experience a handful of migraines in their life; for others, weekly attacks render migraine a chronic illness . They most often emerge in adolescence and early adulthood.
In the last year, between 50 and 75 percent of adults have had headaches, and 30 percent of those individuals had migraines, according to the World Health Organization. Migraine affects about twice as many women as men.
Migraines cannot be completely cured, but prevention and treatment strategies can help those with migraine reduce their pain and improve their daily life.
Key Takeaways
- Migraine affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding migraine is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
Stages, Symptoms, and Diagnosis
It can be difficult to understand the experience of a migraine without having had one. In addition to intense physical pain, people can have sensory symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light, cognitive symptoms like language deficits, and emotional symptoms like irritability and depression . Attacks can be overwhelming and debilitating.
The symptoms of a migraine depend on the stage of the attack. There are four distinct phases, which may manifest differently for different people.
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Prodrome: This stage begins a day or two before a migraine and offers warning signs that an attack is coming. Symptoms include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, muscle stiffness, sleepiness, food cravings, feeling thirsty, irritability, distractibility, and sadness.
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Aura: An aura is a brief phase before the headache that involves altered vision, including blind spots, blurry vision, vision loss, and seeing lights or patterns. Auras can also include tingling, numbness, and difficulty speaking, writing, or thinking. Twenty to 30 percent of people with migraine experience auras.
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Headache: This stage involves throbbing head pain, which can range from mild to severe, on one or both sides of the head. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to lights, sounds, and smells. Headaches can last from four hours to three days.
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Postdrome: Many people, but not all, struggle in the aftermath of an attack, experiencing fatigue, achiness, and difficulty thinking and concentrating for the next day or two.
Treatment, Coping Skills, and Support
Unfortunately, no treatments today can fully cure migraines. But medications can help prevent attacks and manage symptoms in the moment. Preventative medications include beta-blockers, antidepressants , and anti-seizure drugs. Pain relief medications include over-the-counter options such as Advil or Excedrin and prescription painkillers such as triptans. Taking medication early on is key to eliminating symptoms or reducing their severity.
Therapy can address anxiety or negative emotions fueled by migraines. Lifestyle factors play an important role as well; maintaining stable routines around sleep, eating, exercise, and work can help prevent attacks. Adopting these approaches can help people with migraine relieve distress and improve their quality of life.
If you sense that a migraine is coming on, try to find a quiet, dark room where you can rest. Take medication as early as possible in the course of the migraine. Putting a cold washcloth on the back of your neck may help by numbing the area; applying a heating pad may relax head and neck muscles.
From a longer-term perspective, aim to maintain regular sleep, eating, and exercise habits. Keep a log of what triggers your migraines so that you can identify and avoid those triggers, and develop a treatment plan with your doctor.
Some people with migraines use integrative medicine approaches to supplement medication. Acupuncture, mindfulness meditation , and biofeedback (a self-regulation technique in which people practice controlling some of their physiological processes) may help to reduce pain intensity and migraine frequency, research suggests.
Family, friends, and coworkers may not recognize the physical pain, emotional challenges, preventative measures, and medication side effects that people with migraines experience, especially because they sometimes mask their symptoms in order to accomplish necessary tasks. Having to explain the invisible struggles of migraine to others can be exhausting and worrisome; some may feel defensive, guilty, or avoid speaking about it altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is migraine?
Migraine is a neurological condition that involves intense headaches and symptoms such as nausea, tingling, numbness, sensitivity to light and sound, and a temporary lack of vision. The pain of a migraine can be debilitating.
What are the signs of migraine?
It can be difficult to understand the experience of a migraine without having had one. In addition to intense physical pain, people can have sensory symptoms like extreme sensitivity to light, cognitive symptoms like language deficits, and emotional symptoms like irritability and depression . Attacks can be overwhelming and debilitating. The symptoms of a migraine depend on the stage of the attack
How can migraine be treated?
Unfortunately, no treatments today can fully cure migraines. But medications can help prevent attacks and manage symptoms in the moment. Preventative medications include beta-blockers, antidepressants , and anti-seizure drugs. Pain relief medications include over-the-counter options such as Advil or Excedrin and prescription painkillers such as triptans. Taking medication early on is key to elimin
Is migraine a serious condition?
Migraine exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe migraine can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if migraine is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
Learn More
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