Patient education: Migraine in adults (The Basics)

What is migraine? — 

This is a condition that involves a headache as well as other symptoms.

Migraine can affect both adults and children. It is more common in females. Migraine headaches, or "attacks," often start mild and then get worse.

What are the symptoms of migraine in adults? — 

Symptoms can include:

●Headache – The headache gets worse over several hours and is usually throbbing. It often affects 1 side of the head.

●Nausea and sometimes vomiting

●Sensitivity to light and noise – Lying down in a quiet, dark room often helps.

●Aura – Some people have something called a migraine "aura." This is a symptom or feeling that happens before or during the migraine attack. The aura usually lasts a few minutes to an hour and then goes away. For most people, it lasts 15 to 30 minutes.

Each person's aura is different, but in most cases, the aura affects your vision. During an aura, you might:

•See flashing lights, bright spots, or zigzag lines

•Lose part of your vision

•Have numbness and tingling of the lips, lower face, and fingers of 1 hand

•Hear sounds or have ringing in their ears

People who get migraine with aura usually cannot take birth control pills that have estrogen. That's because they might increase the risk of stroke.

Many people get other symptoms of migraine. These symptoms can happen several hours or even a day before the headache. Doctors call these "premonitory" or "prodromal" symptoms. They might include yawning, feeling depressed, irritability, food cravings, constipation, or a stiff neck.

Will I need tests? — 

Probably not. Your doctor or nurse will ask you questions and do an exam.

Can migraine attacks be prevented? — 

Yes. Some people find that their migraine attacks are triggered by certain things. If you can avoid some of these things, you can lower your chances of getting migraine attacks.

You can also keep a "headache diary." In the diary, write down:

●Every time you have a migraine attack

●What you ate and did before it started – This can help you decide if there is anything you should avoid eating or doing.

●What medicine you took, and if it helped

Common migraine triggers include:

●Stress

●Hormonal changes

●Skipping meals or not eating enough

●Changes in the weather

●Sleeping too much or too little

●Bright or flashing lights

●Drinking alcohol

●Eating certain foods, such as aged cheese and hot dogs

●Smoking or being around smoke

If your migraine attacks are frequent or severe, your doctor can suggest other ways to help prevent them. For example, it might help to learn relaxation techniques and ways to manage stress. There are also medicines that can help.

Some people get migraine attacks just before or during their period. Medicine can help with this, too.

How are migraine attacks treated? — 

There are many different medicines that can help with migraine. Your doctor can help you find the best treatment for your situation.

For mild migraine, your doctor might suggest an over-the-counter medicine to take during a migraine attack. These include:

●Acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol)

●Ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin)

●Naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve)

●A medicine that combines acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (sample brand name: Excedrin)

For more severe migraine, there are prescription medicines that can help. Some, such as medicines called triptans, help relieve the pain from a migraine attack. Other prescription medicines can help make migraine attacks happen less often. If you have severe nausea or vomiting with your migraine attacks, there are medicines that can help with that, too.

Do not try to treat frequent migraine attacks on your own with non-prescription pain medicines. Taking these too often can actually cause more headaches later.

What else can I do to feel better? — 

You can try:

●Resting in a quiet, dark room with a cool cloth on your forehead

●Sleeping

●Taking the medicine or medicines that your doctor suggested – Do not take medicines that you have not discussed with your doctor.

What if I want to get pregnant? — 

Talk to your doctor or nurse before you start trying. Some medicines used to treat and prevent migraine are not safe during pregnancy, so you might need to switch medicines before you get pregnant.

Some people notice that their migraine symptoms actually get better during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is related to hormonal changes in the body.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if:

●You think that you are having migraine attacks.

●Your migraine attacks get worse or more frequent.

●You have new symptoms.

More on this topic

Patient education: Headaches in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Headaches in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Migraine in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Botulinum toxin injections (The Basics)

Patient education: Migraine in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Headache causes and diagnosis in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Headache treatment in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Headache in children (Beyond the Basics)