A migraine is far more than a bad headache. Learning your personal triggers, and acting early, is the most effective tool you have.
More than a headache
Migraine is a neurological condition that can bring throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, and a punishing sensitivity to light and sound. Some people get an 'aura', visual flickers or tingling, before the pain begins.
Attacks can last hours or days and often disrupt work and family life, which is why they deserve proper management rather than just enduring them.
Find your triggers
Common culprits include skipped meals, dehydration, poor or irregular sleep, stress, hormonal changes, bright light, and certain foods such as aged cheese or excess caffeine.
Keeping a simple diary of attacks alongside your sleep, meals, and stress often reveals a pattern you can then act on.
Treating an attack
Relief works best when taken early, at the first hint of an attack. Resting in a dark, quiet room, hydrating, and using the medication your doctor recommends can shorten the episode.
When to seek help
If migraines are frequent or disabling, preventive treatments can dramatically cut how often they strike. See a doctor urgently for a sudden 'worst-ever' headache, or one with fever, weakness, or confusion, which need different evaluation.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, please speak to a qualified clinician.
