Migraine is not just a bad headache. It is a neurological condition that can cause severe head pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, visual symptoms, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog and a deep need to stop normal activity. For some people, migraine is occasional and manageable. For others, it is a disabling condition that affects work, family life, sleep, social plans and mental health.
One of the most frustrating things about migraine is that it can look different from person to person. Some people get a classic one-sided throbbing headache. Some get visual aura before the pain starts. Some feel dizzy, sick and exhausted but have little head pain. Some have attacks linked to periods, stress, sleep disruption, alcohol, bright light or missed meals. Others cannot identify a clear trigger at all.
The good news is that migraine is treatable. The right approach often combines early treatment during attacks, trigger management, lifestyle patterns, avoiding medication overuse, and preventive treatment if attacks are frequent or disabling. In the UK, treatment may involve pharmacy advice, GP care, NHS headache clinics, neurology referral, private migraine clinics, migraine-specific medicines such as triptans or gepants, preventive tablets, Botox for chronic migraine, or newer CGRP-targeted treatments in selected people.
This guide explains what migraine is, how it differs from other headaches, the symptoms to recognise, common triggers, red flags that need urgent help, and the main treatment options available in the UK.
Important: this article is for general information only and should not replace medical advice. If you have a sudden, severe or unusual headache, weakness, speech problems, confusion, fever, stiff neck, seizure, vision loss or symptoms after a head injury, seek urgent medical help.
What is migraine?
Migraine is a brain and nervous system disorder that causes recurring attacks of neurological symptoms. Headache is common, but migraine can also affect vision, balance, digestion, concentration, mood, energy and sensitivity to light, sound and smell.
During a migraine attack, the brain becomes unusually sensitive to normal signals. Light may feel painful. Ordinary sounds may feel too loud. Movement may worsen the pain. Smells may become overwhelming. Nausea may make it difficult to eat, drink or take tablets. Some people feel as if they need to lie still in a dark room until the attack passes.
The NHS describes migraine as a common health condition that usually causes a severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head, often with nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound. You can read the official NHS overview here: NHS migraine guidance.
Migraine is more than a headache
It is common for people with migraine to be told they “just have headaches”. That can be misleading. A tension-type headache may be uncomfortable but still allow someone to keep working. A migraine attack can stop a person from functioning altogether.
Migraine may involve:
- moderate to severe head pain
- pain on one side, both sides, the forehead, temples, behind the eye or back of the head
- throbbing, pulsing, pressure-like or stabbing pain
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light, sound or smell
- worse pain with movement, stairs, bending or routine activity
- visual aura, flashing lights, zig-zag lines or blind spots
- dizziness, vertigo or imbalance
- neck pain or stiffness
- brain fog, trouble finding words or difficulty concentrating
- fatigue before, during or after the attack
- mood changes, yawning, food cravings or increased urination before an attack
Some migraine attacks last a few hours. Others can last one to three days. The recovery phase can last longer, leaving people feeling drained, fragile or “hungover” even after the pain improves.
When a migraine-like headache may be an emergency
Most migraine attacks are not dangerous, especially if the pattern is familiar. However, not every severe headache is migraine. A new, sudden, unusual or changing headache needs more caution.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if you have headache or migraine-like symptoms with:
- a sudden, explosive headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or minutes
- the “worst headache of your life”
- weakness, numbness, facial drooping, confusion or slurred speech
- new difficulty speaking, understanding speech or finding words that is not typical for you
- new vision loss, double vision or severe eye pain
- a seizure, collapse or loss of consciousness
- fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, drowsiness or dislike of bright light
- a severe headache after a head injury
- a severe headache during pregnancy or soon after giving birth
- headache with chest pain, severe breathlessness or fainting
If your headache is sudden, severe, new or worrying, read our detailed guide to headache causes, red flags and when to seek urgent help. If symptoms could be a stroke or TIA, see our guide to stroke symptoms and TIA.
Types of migraine
Migraine without aura
This is the most common type of migraine. It usually causes headache with symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound and worsening with movement. The pain may be one-sided, but it does not have to be.
Many people with migraine without aura have warning symptoms before the pain begins, such as tiredness, mood changes, yawning, food cravings or neck stiffness. These are sometimes called prodrome symptoms.
Migraine with aura
Aura means temporary neurological symptoms that usually develop gradually before or during a migraine attack. Visual aura is the most common form. It may include flashing lights, shimmering shapes, zig-zag lines, blind spots or distorted vision.
Aura can also involve tingling, numbness, speech disturbance, dizziness or other neurological symptoms. These symptoms are usually temporary, but they can be frightening, especially the first time.
Because aura can sometimes resemble a stroke or TIA, new aura symptoms should be assessed. Seek urgent help if symptoms are sudden, severe, different from your usual pattern, include weakness, last longer than usual, or do not fully resolve.
Migraine aura without headache
Some people get migraine aura with little or no head pain. This can be confusing because the person may have visual symptoms, tingling, dizziness or speech difficulty but no classic headache.
Aura without headache is more common in people who have had migraine before, but new aura-like symptoms should not be self-diagnosed without medical advice, especially after age 50 or if stroke risk factors are present.
Vestibular migraine
Vestibular migraine causes dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, motion sensitivity or nausea. Headache may be present, mild or absent. People may feel worse in busy visual environments such as supermarkets, scrolling screens, traffic, patterned floors or bright lighting.
Vestibular migraine can be mistaken for inner ear problems. Sometimes the two overlap. If dizziness is a major symptom, you may also find our guide to dizziness useful once published, and our article on headache red flags explains when dizziness with headache needs urgent assessment.
Menstrual migraine
Some migraines are linked to hormonal changes around periods. Menstrual migraine may occur just before, during or shortly after bleeding starts. These attacks can be longer, more severe or harder to treat than migraines at other times of the month.
Keeping a diary for at least three cycles can help show whether attacks are truly menstrual-related. This matters because treatment options may include timing medication around the menstrual window, reviewing contraception, or considering preventive approaches.
Chronic migraine
Chronic migraine is usually defined as headache on 15 or more days per month for more than three months, with migraine features on at least eight days per month. It can be extremely disabling and often overlaps with medication-overuse headache, poor sleep, stress, neck pain or other long-term conditions.
Chronic migraine often needs a more structured treatment plan and may require referral to a headache clinic or neurologist, especially if several preventive treatments have not helped.
Migraine phases: what happens before, during and after an attack?
Migraine is often described in phases, although not everyone experiences every phase.
1. Prodrome
The prodrome phase can begin hours or even a day or two before the headache. Symptoms may include yawning, tiredness, irritability, low mood, food cravings, thirst, neck stiffness, increased urination, sensitivity to light or difficulty concentrating.
Many people only recognise this phase after they have tracked migraines for a while. Understanding prodrome can help you treat early and avoid blaming the wrong trigger. For example, craving chocolate may be part of the migraine starting, rather than the chocolate being the cause.
2. Aura
Aura usually develops gradually and is temporary. Visual aura is most common, but aura can also affect sensation, speech or movement. New or unusual aura symptoms should be discussed with a clinician.
3. Headache or main attack
This is the phase most people think of as migraine. Pain may be throbbing or pulsing and may worsen with movement. Nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and smell sensitivity are common.
4. Postdrome
After the pain improves, many people feel exhausted, foggy, weak, emotional, dizzy or hungover. This can last hours or longer. It is part of the migraine process, not a personal weakness.
Common migraine triggers
A trigger is something that makes a migraine more likely. Triggers are not the same for everyone, and a trigger does not always cause an attack every time. Migraine often happens when several factors stack up together.
Sleep disruption
Too little sleep, too much sleep, irregular sleep, shift work and jet lag can all trigger migraine. A consistent sleep-wake routine is often more helpful than simply trying to sleep more.
If you wake with headaches, snore heavily or feel unrefreshed, consider whether sleep apnoea could be part of the picture. See our guide to snoring and sleep apnoea.
Stress and let-down after stress
Stress is a common migraine trigger, but many people also get migraine after stress drops — for example at the weekend, on holiday or after finishing a demanding project. This “let-down” pattern can be frustrating because migraine appears just when you finally stop.
Missed meals and dehydration
Skipping meals, long gaps without food, dehydration and intense exercise without enough fluid can trigger migraine in some people. If dehydration or heat makes symptoms worse, read our guide to dehydration symptoms in adults and children.
Caffeine changes
Caffeine can help some headaches but trigger others. Sudden caffeine withdrawal can also cause headache. For migraine, consistency matters: large swings in caffeine intake can be more of a problem than a small regular amount.
Alcohol
Alcohol, especially red wine, sparkling wine and drinks associated with poor sleep or dehydration, can trigger migraine in some people. The trigger may be alcohol itself, sleep disruption, dehydration, histamine, congeners, or a combination.
Hormonal changes
Many women notice migraine around periods, ovulation, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause or changes in contraception. Oestrogen fluctuation can influence migraine, especially migraine with aura.
If migraine changes around perimenopause or menopause, see our guide to menopause symptoms, HRT and treatment.
Bright light, screens and visual overload
Bright light, flickering light, glare, long screen use, busy patterns and visually crowded environments can trigger or worsen migraine. This is especially common in vestibular migraine and migraine with light sensitivity.
Weather and pressure changes
Some people notice migraines with storms, humidity, heat, bright sun or barometric pressure changes. You cannot control the weather, but recognising the pattern can help you prepare early treatment and avoid adding other triggers on high-risk days.
Neck tension and posture
Neck pain is common during migraine and may be part of the attack rather than the original cause. However, posture, jaw clenching and muscle tension can still contribute to headache frequency in some people.
Food triggers
Some people identify specific food triggers, but food is often over-blamed. Commonly suspected triggers include aged cheese, processed meats, chocolate, artificial sweeteners and certain additives. A diary is more reliable than guesswork.
Avoiding too many foods can make life harder and may lead to skipped meals, which itself can trigger migraine. It is usually better to look for consistent patterns before restricting your diet.
Migraine or something else?
Migraine can overlap with other conditions. Sometimes people are treated for sinus headaches, tension headaches, anxiety, eye strain or vertigo for years before migraine is recognised.
Migraine vs tension headache
Tension-type headache usually feels like pressure or tightness on both sides of the head. It is often mild to moderate and may not worsen much with routine movement. Nausea and severe light sensitivity are less typical.
Migraine is more likely if the headache is moderate to severe, throbbing, worsened by movement, associated with nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity or aura, or if it stops normal activity.
Migraine vs sinus headache
Migraine can cause facial pressure, blocked nose, watery eyes and pain around the eyes, so it is often mistaken for sinus headache. Sinusitis is more likely if there is thick nasal discharge, fever, reduced smell, facial tenderness and symptoms after a cold.
If sinus symptoms are prominent, see our guides to sinusitis and chronic sinusitis.
Migraine vs stroke or TIA
Migraine aura can sometimes resemble stroke symptoms. Aura usually develops gradually and spreads over minutes, while stroke symptoms are often sudden. However, this distinction is not always reliable. If symptoms are new, severe, sudden, include weakness, or do not follow your usual aura pattern, call 999.
Migraine vs high blood pressure
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Mild or moderate high blood pressure is not usually the cause of typical migraine attacks. However, very high blood pressure with headache, chest pain, breathlessness, confusion, visual symptoms or neurological symptoms needs urgent assessment.
Related guides: high blood pressure and home blood pressure monitoring.
How migraine is diagnosed
There is no single blood test or scan that proves migraine. Diagnosis is usually based on the story: the pattern of attacks, symptoms, duration, triggers, family history, examination and whether there are red flags.
A GP may ask:
- how often headaches happen
- how long attacks last
- where the pain is
- whether the pain throbs or worsens with movement
- whether there is nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity or sound sensitivity
- whether you have aura or neurological symptoms
- what medicines you take and how often
- whether headaches are changing
- whether there are red flag symptoms
- whether headaches are linked to periods, sleep, stress, food, alcohol or medicines
Tests are not always needed. Scans are usually reserved for headaches with red flags, abnormal neurological signs, a new or changing pattern, or concern about another cause. NICE guidance on headaches aims to improve recognition and management while reducing unnecessary investigations. You can read the professional guidance here: NICE headache guidance.
If you are sent for tests, our guides to blood test results, ECG results and scan results may help you understand what clinicians are checking.
Keeping a migraine diary
A migraine diary is one of the most useful tools for diagnosis and treatment. It helps separate migraine from other headaches, shows whether treatment is working, and highlights medication overuse or hormonal patterns.
Track:
- date and time the attack started
- how long it lasted
- pain severity
- location and type of pain
- aura symptoms
- nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light or sound sensitivity
- sleep, meals, hydration, alcohol and caffeine
- period dates or hormonal changes if relevant
- medicines taken and whether they worked
- days off work, school or usual activity
Bring the diary to your GP appointment. It is often more helpful than trying to remember everything during a short consultation.
Acute migraine treatment: what to take during an attack
Acute treatment means treatment taken when a migraine attack starts. The aim is to reduce pain, nausea and disability as quickly as possible.
Act early
Migraine treatment usually works best when taken early, while the pain is still building, rather than waiting until the attack is severe. This can be difficult if you are worried about taking medicines too often, which is why having a clear plan matters.
Simple painkillers
Some people manage mild or moderate migraine with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, depending on what is safe for them. Soluble or dispersible forms may work faster for some people.
Anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen or aspirin are not suitable for everyone. They may be unsafe or need caution if you have stomach ulcers, kidney disease, certain heart conditions, are taking blood thinners, have NSAID-sensitive asthma, are pregnant, or have been told to avoid them. Ask a pharmacist or GP if unsure.
Anti-sickness medicines
Migraine can slow stomach emptying, which means tablets may not absorb well. Anti-sickness medicines can help nausea and vomiting and may also help painkillers or triptans absorb better.
A GP may prescribe an anti-sickness medicine even if you are not vomiting, especially if nausea is part of your migraine pattern.
Triptans
Triptans are migraine-specific acute medicines. They are not ordinary painkillers and are used to treat migraine attacks once they begin. They are available as tablets, melts, nasal sprays and injections, depending on the medicine and situation.
NHS Inform notes that if over-the-counter medicine is not helping, a GP might recommend a triptan and/or anti-sickness medicine, and that triptans are available as tablets, injections and nasal sprays. See NHS Inform migraine treatment and prevention.
Not every triptan works for every person. If one does not help or causes side effects, another may work better. Timing, dose and formulation also matter. For example, a nasal spray or injection may be more useful if vomiting prevents tablets from staying down.
Triptans may not be suitable for people with certain heart or vascular conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, previous stroke or TIA, or some forms of migraine. A clinician will consider your medical history before prescribing.
Gepants for acute migraine
Gepants are newer migraine-specific medicines that target the CGRP pathway. Some are used for acute treatment and some for prevention, depending on the specific medicine and licensing. Access may depend on NHS criteria, local pathways and specialist advice.
If standard treatments are not suitable or not working, ask your GP whether referral or specialist advice is appropriate.
Avoiding medication-overuse headache
Medication-overuse headache can happen when painkillers, triptans or other acute medicines are used too often. The headache becomes more frequent, leading to more medicine use, which then keeps the cycle going.
This is one reason why frequent migraine should not be managed only by taking more painkillers. If you need acute treatment on many days each month, speak to a GP or headache specialist. You may need preventive treatment, a plan to reduce overused medicines, or a different diagnosis.
Medication overuse is not a moral failure. It usually happens because people are trying to function through repeated attacks. But breaking the cycle can make a major difference.
Preventive migraine treatment
Preventive treatment aims to reduce how often migraine attacks happen, how severe they are, or how long they last. It is usually considered when migraine is frequent, disabling, prolonged, not responding well to acute treatment, or causing significant time off work, school or normal life.
NHS migraine guidance lists preventive options including medicines such as beta blockers, antidepressants and medicines for epilepsy, as well as acupuncture, relaxation techniques, CBT and vitamin B2. Preventive treatment should be tailored to the individual because side effects, other conditions, pregnancy plans and personal preferences all matter.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers such as propranolol are commonly used for migraine prevention. They may be especially considered when someone also has certain types of palpitations or anxiety-related physical symptoms, but they are not suitable for everyone, including some people with asthma, low heart rate or certain heart conditions.
Antidepressant medicines used for migraine prevention
Some antidepressant medicines can reduce migraine frequency even when the person is not depressed. They may be considered if migraine overlaps with poor sleep, chronic pain or mood symptoms. Side effects and interactions need to be discussed with a clinician.
If you are taking or considering antidepressants for mental health reasons, our guide to sertraline and what to expect in the first weeks may be useful, although sertraline is not usually a first-line migraine preventive.
Anti-seizure medicines
Some anti-seizure medicines can be used for migraine prevention. They can be effective but may have important side effects and pregnancy-related risks. Anyone who could become pregnant should discuss contraception and pregnancy planning before using certain migraine preventive medicines.
Candesartan and other options
Some blood pressure medicines, such as candesartan, are used for migraine prevention in selected people. This can be useful when blood pressure treatment is also needed, but it is not suitable for everyone.
Botox for chronic migraine
Botulinum toxin injections, commonly known as Botox, can be used for chronic migraine in selected people. It is not the same as cosmetic Botox. The injections are given in specific sites around the head and neck by trained clinicians.
The Migraine Trust explains that Botox and CGRP monoclonal antibodies are preventive migraine treatments approved by NICE and the Scottish Medicines Consortium for certain people. You can read more here: The Migraine Trust: CGRP monoclonal antibodies and Botox.
CGRP monoclonal antibodies
CGRP monoclonal antibodies are newer preventive treatments designed specifically for migraine. They are usually given by injection and may be considered for people with frequent or chronic migraine who have not responded to several standard preventive treatments.
Access on the NHS usually depends on meeting specific criteria, previous treatment attempts and specialist recommendation. Private access may be possible but can be expensive.
Atogepant and other gepants for prevention
Some gepants can be used as preventive migraine treatments. Atogepant, for example, has been approved by NICE for certain people with episodic or chronic migraine who meet criteria and have tried other preventive options. Availability may vary by NHS pathway and specialist input.
If you have frequent migraine and have already tried several preventives, it may be worth asking your GP whether referral to a headache specialist is appropriate.
Non-drug approaches that can help
Medication can be important, but migraine management is rarely just about tablets. Non-drug strategies can reduce attack frequency and make medicines work better.
Regular routine
Migraine brains often dislike sudden changes. Regular sleep, meals, hydration, caffeine and activity can reduce attacks for some people. Perfection is not required; consistency is the goal.
Exercise
Regular gentle-to-moderate exercise can help migraine prevention, sleep, stress and cardiovascular health. However, intense exercise can trigger migraine in some people, especially if dehydrated, under-fuelled or overheated. Build gradually.
Stress management
Stress management does not mean migraine is psychological. It means the nervous system is sensitive to stress chemistry, sleep disruption, muscle tension and recovery patterns. CBT, relaxation training, mindfulness, pacing, breathing techniques or counselling may help some people.
If migraine is affecting mood or anxiety, our guide to mental health support options in the UK may help.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy may help if neck pain, posture, jaw tension or musculoskeletal problems contribute to headache frequency. It is not a cure for all migraine, but it can be useful when migraine overlaps with neck and shoulder symptoms.
Acupuncture
NICE includes acupuncture as a possible preventive option for some people with migraine, depending on circumstances and local availability. Access on the NHS may vary.
Supplements
Some people use supplements such as riboflavin, magnesium or coenzyme Q10. Evidence and dosing vary, and supplements can interact with medicines or be unsuitable in some medical conditions. Discuss with a pharmacist or GP, especially if pregnant, taking regular medicines or managing kidney disease.
Migraine in women: periods, contraception, pregnancy and menopause
Migraine is influenced by hormones in many people. This makes life-stage questions important.
Periods
If migraine attacks cluster around periods, a clinician may consider menstrual migraine strategies. These can include early acute treatment, short-term prevention around the period, or hormonal approaches in selected people.
Contraception
Combined hormonal contraception may not be suitable for some people with migraine, especially migraine with aura, because of stroke risk considerations. This does not mean there are no options; it means contraception should be chosen carefully with a clinician.
Pregnancy
Migraine may improve, worsen or change during pregnancy. Some medicines used for migraine are not suitable during pregnancy or while trying to conceive. If you are pregnant and have migraine, ask your midwife, GP or specialist before taking migraine medicines.
A severe or unusual headache in pregnancy, especially with visual symptoms, swelling, upper abdominal pain or high blood pressure, needs urgent assessment.
Perimenopause and menopause
Migraine can worsen during perimenopause because hormones fluctuate unpredictably. Some people improve after menopause, while others continue to have attacks. HRT may help some symptoms but can affect migraine differently depending on the type, dose and route.
If migraine and menopause symptoms overlap, read our guide to menopause symptoms, HRT and treatment.
Migraine in children and teenagers
Children and teenagers can get migraine. Attacks may be shorter than in adults and may include tummy pain, vomiting, dizziness, looking pale, tiredness, sensitivity to light or needing to sleep. Some children struggle to describe the headache clearly.
Headaches in children should be assessed if they are recurrent, worsening, waking the child at night, present on waking, associated with vomiting, vision changes, weakness, seizures, balance problems, fever, weight loss or behaviour change.
When to ask for a GP appointment
Arrange a GP appointment if:
- you think you may have migraine but have not been diagnosed
- migraine attacks are frequent or disabling
- over-the-counter painkillers are not working
- you need painkillers or triptans often
- you have nausea or vomiting that prevents tablets working
- your headache pattern is changing
- you have new aura symptoms
- migraine is affecting work, study, driving, parenting or mental health
- you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or using hormonal contraception
- you have other conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke history or kidney disease
A GP can help confirm the diagnosis, check for red flags, prescribe migraine-specific treatment, review medication overuse, consider prevention and refer if needed.
When referral to a headache clinic or neurologist may be needed
Referral may be considered if the diagnosis is uncertain, symptoms are unusual, there are neurological signs, attacks are frequent or disabling despite treatment, chronic migraine is suspected, several preventive medicines have failed, or specialist treatments such as Botox or CGRP therapies may be appropriate.
Private migraine clinics may offer faster access, but it is still important that care is evidence-based and integrated with your GP, especially if regular medicines are prescribed.
Living with migraine
Migraine can be isolating because it is invisible between attacks. People may look well one day and be unable to function the next. This unpredictability can affect confidence, employment, relationships and mood.
If you live with migraine, a written plan can help. It might include what to take at the first sign of an attack, when to repeat a dose, when to avoid medication, when to seek help, how to manage nausea, what to tell your employer, and what adjustments help during recovery.
Reasonable workplace adjustments might include reducing exposure to bright or flickering lights, flexible working after severe attacks, screen adjustments, regular breaks, hydration access, reduced noise exposure or working from home where possible.
The bottom line
Migraine is a common neurological condition, but it is often under-recognised and undertreated. It can cause severe head pain, nausea, aura, dizziness, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, fatigue and brain fog. Some people have migraine without much headache at all.
The best treatment plan usually has three parts: recognise attacks early, use effective acute treatment safely, and consider prevention if attacks are frequent or disabling. It is also important to avoid medication overuse and to seek urgent help for red flag symptoms.
If your headaches are recurrent, severe, changing or affecting your life, do not simply keep pushing through. Migraine is treatable, and getting the right plan can make a major difference.
FAQ: migraine symptoms, triggers and treatment
What does a migraine feel like?
Migraine often causes moderate to severe head pain, usually with nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and worsening with movement. The pain may throb or pulse and may affect one side or both sides of the head.
Can you have migraine without a headache?
Yes. Some people have migraine aura, dizziness, nausea, visual symptoms, light sensitivity or brain fog with little or no head pain. This is sometimes called migraine aura without headache or silent migraine.
What is migraine aura?
Aura is a temporary neurological symptom that may happen before or during migraine. Visual aura can include flashing lights, zig-zag lines, blind spots or shimmering shapes. Aura can also cause tingling, numbness or speech symptoms.
When should I worry about migraine aura?
Seek urgent help if aura symptoms are new, sudden, include weakness, last longer than usual, do not fully resolve, or are different from your normal pattern. New neurological symptoms should not be assumed to be migraine without assessment.
What are common migraine triggers?
Common triggers include poor sleep, stress, missed meals, dehydration, alcohol, caffeine changes, hormonal changes, bright light, screen strain, weather changes and sometimes specific foods. Triggers vary from person to person.
Can stress cause migraine?
Stress can trigger migraine or make attacks more likely, but migraine is not “just stress”. It is a neurological condition. Stress management may help reduce attacks, but it is only one part of treatment.
What is the best treatment for migraine?
The best treatment depends on the person. Some people use simple painkillers safely. Others need triptans, anti-sickness medicines, gepants or preventive treatment. Frequent or disabling migraine should be discussed with a GP.
What are triptans?
Triptans are migraine-specific medicines used during an attack. They can help reduce migraine pain and associated symptoms. They are available in different forms, including tablets, nasal sprays and injections.
What if one triptan does not work?
Another triptan may work better. Dose, timing and formulation also matter. If tablets do not work because of vomiting, a nasal spray or injection may be considered. Speak to a GP or pharmacist.
Can migraine medicines cause more headaches?
Yes. Using painkillers, triptans or other acute medicines too often can contribute to medication-overuse headache. If you need treatment on many days each month, ask a GP about prevention and safer management.
When should migraine prevention be considered?
Prevention may be considered if migraine is frequent, severe, disabling, prolonged, not responding to acute treatment, or causing significant disruption to work, school, sleep or daily life.
Can Botox treat migraine?
Botox can be used for chronic migraine in selected people. It is given as injections in specific head and neck sites by trained clinicians. It is usually considered after other treatments have not worked or are unsuitable.
What are CGRP migraine treatments?
CGRP treatments target a pathway involved in migraine. Some are injections called monoclonal antibodies, while some newer medicines are tablets called gepants. NHS access depends on criteria and specialist pathways.
Can migraine be linked to periods?
Yes. Some people get menstrual migraine around their period because of hormonal changes. A migraine diary can help confirm the pattern and guide treatment.
Can contraception affect migraine?
Yes. Hormonal contraception can improve, worsen or change migraine. Combined hormonal contraception may not be suitable for some people with migraine with aura, so contraception should be discussed with a clinician.
Can migraine cause dizziness?
Yes. Vestibular migraine can cause dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, nausea and motion sensitivity, sometimes without much headache.
Do I need a brain scan for migraine?
Not usually if the pattern is typical and the examination is normal. A scan may be needed if there are red flags, abnormal neurological signs, sudden severe headache, or a new or changing headache pattern.
Can children get migraine?
Yes. Children can get migraine, sometimes with tummy pain, vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, paleness or sensitivity to light. Recurrent or worrying headaches in children should be assessed.
What should I include in a migraine diary?
Record attack dates, duration, severity, symptoms, possible triggers, sleep, meals, period dates if relevant, medicines taken and whether they worked. This helps diagnosis and treatment planning.
When should I call 999 for a migraine-like headache?
Call 999 if the headache is sudden and severe, follows a head injury, occurs with weakness, facial drooping, slurred speech, confusion, seizure, vision loss, fever with stiff neck, collapse, or severe symptoms during pregnancy.
