A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on 1 side of your head.
Many people also have symptoms such as feeling and being sick. Some people may get increased sensitivity to light or sound.
Migraine is a common condition. It affects around 1 in 5 women and around 1 in 15 men. It usually begins in early adulthood.
Some people have migraines often. Other people only have a migraine sometimes. It's possible for years to pass between migraines.
Types of migraine
You can have the following types of migraine.
Migraine with aura
This type has specific warning signs before the migraine begins. These include seeing flashing lights.
Migraine without aura
This is the most common type. It happens without specific warning signs.
Migraine aura without headache
This is also known as silent migraine. You have aura or other migraine symptoms, but no headache.
When to contact your GP
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms that you cannot manage with over-the-counter painkillers
Try not to use the maximum dosage of painkillers often. This could make it harder to treat headaches over time.
You should contact your GP if you have frequent migraines, even if you can manage them with medicine. Frequent migraines means a migraine on more than 5 days a month. Preventative treatment may help you.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 and ask for an ambulance immediately if
you or someone you're with develops:
- paralysis or weakness in 1 or both arms, or 1 side of the face
- slurred or garbled speech
- a sudden very painful headache resulting in a severe pain unlike anything you've had before
- headache along with a high temperature (fever), stiff neck, confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash
These symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Causes of migraines
The exact cause of migraines is unknown. They might be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain.
Around half of all people who have migraines also have a close relative with the condition. This suggests that genes may play a role.
Some people find migraine attacks are associated with certain triggers, such as:
- stress
- tiredness
- certain foods or drinks
- starting your period
Treating migraines
There is no cure for migraines. But some treatments can help to reduce the symptoms.
These include:
- painkillers – including over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen
- triptans – medicines that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
- anti-emetics – medicines often used to help relieve a feeling of sickness (nausea) or being sick
During an attack, many people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room can also help.
Preventing migraines
If you think a trigger is causing your migraines, avoid this trigger. This may help reduce your risk of having migraines.
It may also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including:
- regular exercise
- sleep and meals
- keeping yourself well hydrated
- limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol
If your migraines are severe you should contact your GP. You should also contact them if you have tried avoiding possible triggers and are still having symptoms. They may prescribe medicines to help prevent further attacks.
Medicines used to prevent migraines include:
- anti-seizure medicine (topiramate)
- high blood pressure medicine (propranolol)
It may take several weeks before your migraine symptoms begin to improve.
Outlook
Migraines can affect your quality of life. They can stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. Some people find they need to stay in bed for days.
But some treatments are available which can reduce the symptoms and prevent further attacks.
Migraine attacks can sometimes get worse over time. But they tend to improve over many years for most people.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
