Migraine is a neurological disorder that many Australians live with for years without being able to name it. When a migraine attack goes mistaken for a headache, the treatments used won’t work as well. A clearer picture of what migraine is and how it behaves changes what comes next.
Is It a Migraine or a Headache?
A headache is pain felt anywhere in the head or upper neck. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp or throbbing sensation, and it does not extend beyond that region or produce symptoms elsewhere in the body. Headaches arise from a wide range of causes, including stress, dehydration, tension in the neck, and illness.
A migraine is a neurological disorder, and its symptoms extend beyond head pain. The headache during a migraine attack is moderate to severe, tends to throb, and is characteristically felt on one side of the head, though it can affect both. An attack can last anywhere from four hours to three days.
The difference between a headache and a migraine is that a migraine comes with more symptoms than just pain. These include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heightened sensitivity to light and sound
- Pain that worsens with physical activity
- Visual disturbances, known as aura, appearing before or during the headache
The Most Common Types of Migraine
A migraine can present in several distinct forms, and the type a person experiences shapes the symptoms they have and the pattern of their attacks.
Migraine Without Aura
A migraine without aura is the most common form. There is no aura to warn you before the headache begins, though you may still experience the other symptoms.
Migraine With Aura
In a migraine with aura, sensory disturbances appear before or alongside the headache. Aura symptoms can include seeing zigzag patterns, flashing lights, or blind spots. Some people experience tingling on one side of the face or body, or temporary difficulty finding words. These symptoms can last between five and 60 minutes.
Chronic Migraine
A chronic migraine is one that occurs on 15 or more days per month. It can develop gradually over time, particularly when pain relief medication is overused.
Menstrual Migraine
A menstrual migraine is linked to the drop in oestrogen that occurs in the days before and during a period.
Hemiplegic Migraine
A hemiplegic migraine causes temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, along with other aura symptoms. Because these symptoms can resemble a stroke, they require immediate medical attention when they occur for the first time.
Retinal Migraine
A retinal migraine affects blood flow to one eye, causing temporary vision loss or disturbances in that eye.
Abdominal Migraine
An abdominal migraine produces episodes of stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting without a headache, and mostly occurs in children.
Common Migraine Triggers and Causes
There is a genetic predisposition to migraines. But genetics alone do not cause an individual attack. Triggers are what activate a migraine in someone who carries that predisposition. These include:
Hormonal changes. Fluctuations in oestrogen can trigger migraine attacks. This is why women experience migraine at roughly three times the rate of men.
Stress. Both sustained stress and the period of relaxation that follows a stressful period can provoke an attack.
Sleep disruption. Too little sleep and too much sleep can both trigger migraine attacks.
Food and drink. Foods containing compounds like tyramine, histamine, nitrates, MSG, and preservatives can trigger attacks. These include aged cheeses and alcohol, particularly red wine, and processed meat.
Caffeine. A moderate amount of caffeine can briefly relieve migraine pain in some people, but consuming too much or suddenly cutting back can provoke an attack through withdrawal.
Sensory stimuli. Bright or flickering lights, loud noises, and strong smells can trigger a migraine in those who are sensitive.
Weather changes. Shifts in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity can trigger attacks, though the degree of sensitivity varies.
How First Aid for Migraines
Your goal during a migraine attack is to reduce pain and manage the accompanying symptoms. Acting early, at the first sign of symptoms, gives treatments the best chance of working.
Move to a dark, quiet room. Light and sound intensify migraine pain, so lie down in a darkened room.
Apply a cold compress. An ice pack or cold cloth placed on the forehead, temples, or back of the neck for up to 15 minutes can reduce pain.
Drink water. Sip water steadily through the attack, particularly if you have vomited. Dehydration prolongs and worsens a migraine.
Take pain relief early. Over-the-counter pain relief works best when taken at the first sign of a migraine, before the pain peaks.
Avoid screens. The light from phones, tablets, and computers can worsen migraine symptoms.
Manage nausea. If you feel nauseous, ginger tea or ginger capsules can help settle the stomach.
What You Can Do to Prevent Migraine Attacks
Migraine prevention comes down to two things: reducing triggers through consistent lifestyle habits, and working with a doctor when those habits alone are not enough.
Know your triggers. A migraine diary is the most direct tool for identifying which triggers affect you. Once patterns emerge, you can make targeted changes.
Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
Stay hydrated and eat regularly. Drink water throughout the day and avoid skipping meals.
Exercise regularly. Consistent, moderate physical activity can reduce the frequency of attacks over time.
Manage stress. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can reduce stress-related attacks. Even short daily periods of relaxation can help.
Limit alcohol and caffeine. Consume both in moderation.
Speak to a doctor. If attacks are frequent, severe, or interrupting daily life, a doctor can discuss preventive medication.
Learn to Manage Migraine and Headache with First Aid
Migraines may be painful and knock you off your feet, but treating them is easy. Even with all the different types all it takes is a little know how. By enrolling in first aid training you can learn how to best deal with a migraine at home, whether it’s affecting you or someone you love.
FAQs
What Is the Postdrome Phase of a Migraine?
After the headache phase ends, many people experience a postdrome, sometimes called a migraine hangover. Symptoms can include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, low mood, and mild head tenderness, and can persist for anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours.
Do Migraines Increase the Risk of Stroke?
Migraines are associated with an elevated risk of ischaemic stroke, particularly in women, people who smoke, or those with high blood pressure. If you experience migraines and have any of these risk factors, speak to your doctor about managing them together.
What Are Triptans?
Triptans are a class of prescription medication specifically designed for migraine attacks. They work by narrowing blood vessels and blocking pain pathways in the brain.
