Migraine is a neurological condition that causes recurring attacks of headache and other symptoms. An attack can last from several hours to several days and may affect work, sleep and daily activities. Migraine is more than an ordinary headache, and treatment can reduce both attacks and their impact.
Symptoms
Migraine commonly causes moderate or severe throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, although it may affect both sides. Other symptoms can include:
- nausea or vomiting
- sensitivity to light, sound, smells or movement
- pain that worsens with ordinary activity
- tiredness, poor concentration or mood changes before or after the headache
Not every attack follows the same pattern, and some people have migraine symptoms without a headache.
Migraine aura
Some people with migraine experience aura, a group of temporary neurological symptoms that usually develops gradually and lasts less than an hour. Aura may cause zigzag lines, flashing lights, blind spots, tingling, numbness or difficulty finding words.
A first episode of weakness, speech difficulty, loss of vision or other sudden neurological symptoms needs urgent assessment because stroke and other serious conditions can look similar. Do not assume an unfamiliar symptom is migraine.
Common triggers
Triggers do not cause migraine in isolation and vary between people. Possible factors include disrupted sleep, missed meals, dehydration, stress or relaxation after stress, hormonal changes, alcohol, bright light, strong smells and changes in routine.
A headache diary can record timing, symptoms, menstrual cycle, medicines and possible triggers. Avoiding every suspected food is rarely helpful and can make the diet unnecessarily restrictive.
Treating an attack
Resting in a quiet, dark room, drinking fluid and eating if a meal was missed may help. Acute medicine works best when taken early in the headache phase. Options may include a suitable pain reliever, a triptan and medicine for nausea. A clinician or pharmacist can advise what is safe with your health conditions and other medicines.
Do not use migraine or pain medicines more often than recommended. Frequent use can cause medication-overuse headache and make attacks harder to control. Opioid painkillers are generally not recommended for migraine.
Preventing migraine
Preventive treatment may be considered when attacks are frequent, prolonged, disabling or difficult to treat. Options include several daily medicines, injections of botulinum toxin for selected chronic migraine and medicines that target calcitonin gene-related peptide, known as CGRP. Suitability and availability vary.
Regular sleep, meals, hydration, physical activity and stress management can support treatment. Prevention should be reviewed over time to check benefit and side effects.
Diagnosis
Migraine is diagnosed from the pattern of symptoms and a neurological examination. A scan is not routinely needed when the history and examination are typical. Imaging or other tests may be arranged if warning signs suggest another cause.
Migraine can be confused with other headache disorders. For example, cluster headache usually causes extremely severe pain around one eye in repeated short attacks with tearing or a blocked nostril.
When to seek urgent help
Arrange urgent medical advice if an attack lasts longer than 72 hours, aura lasts longer than one hour, attacks have changed significantly, or migraine occurs during pregnancy or soon after birth.
Call your local emergency number for:
- a sudden explosive headache that reaches maximum intensity within seconds or minutes
- new weakness, facial droop, confusion, seizure or persistent speech or vision loss
- headache with fever, a stiff neck, a non-fading rash or severe illness
- headache after a significant head injury
- new severe headache during pregnancy or after birth
Sources
Reviewed: 28 August 2026
Medical disclaimer: This information is general and does not replace an individual diagnosis or treatment plan from a qualified healthcare professional.