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Migraine is a condition that causes a set of symptoms known as a migraine attack.
The main symptoms of a migraine attack are:
You may also get symptoms at the start of a migraine attack, such as:
Some people get warning signs that they're about to have a migraine attack (called aura), such as:
Aura symptoms should not last for longer than 1 hour.
Migraine attacks usually last between 4 hours and 3 days, with early symptoms (such as feeling very tired) starting hours or up to 2 days before the head pain starts and finishing after the headache stops.
Some people have migraine attacks several times a week, while others do not have them as often.
Migraine attacks that happen just before or during your period are called menstrual migraines. They are often longer and more severe than migraine attacks at other times.
Most people find their migraine attacks slowly get better as they get older.
In women, migraine often gets better after the menopause and sometimes improves in pregnancy.
You have a migraine attack and:
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Migraine cannot be cured, but treatment can help:
The treatments available will depend on how severe your migraine is and how often you get migraine attacks.
You may have to try a combination of treatments before you find something that works for you.
Treatment for symptoms of a migraine attack includes:
If you're taking painkillers, take them as soon as your headache starts.
Treatment to prevent migraine attacks includes:
A GP may also recommend making changes to your lifestyle to help manage migraine, such as eating at regular times and drinking less caffeine.
If none of these treatments help your symptoms, or they're getting worse, you may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment.
Try not to take painkillers for more than 2 days a week as this can cause you to get more headaches and make migraine harder to treat.
It's not known what causes migraine, but it happens when there are changes to nerves and blood vessels in the brain.
You're more likely to get it if you have a close family member who has it.
Women are also more likely to get migraine than men.
Some people find certain triggers can cause migraine attacks, such as:
It can help to keep a migraine diary to help you work out what might trigger your migraine attacks.
There are things you can do yourself to manage migraine, with help and advice from a GP.
try sleeping or lying down in a darkened room during a migraine attack
try to avoid things you know trigger your migraine attacks
stay well hydrated, and limit how much caffeine and alcohol you drink
try to keep to a healthy weight
eat meals at regular times
get regular exercise
get plenty of sleep
try to manage your stress
Migraines affect 10 million people in the UK. Identifying and avoiding the things that trigger migraines is an important part of managing them, says Dr Dawn Harper.
