
Migraines typically last from four to 72 hours. The frequency of migraines differs for everyone, but usually, there would be two to four headaches per month. In some, the migraines may occur every few days, while others may get them once or twice a year.
What are the four stages of migraines?
The various four stages and associated symptoms of migraines include:
- Prodrome: Also known as the preheadache stage, it precedes a migraine attack. It can last for several hours or several days. During this phase, taking medication, practicing a stress-relieving technique, or avoiding trigger factors can prevent a migraine attack. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Changes in mood
- The feeling of depression or irritability
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle stiffness around the neck and shoulder
- Aura: This stage can last from five to 60 minutes and occurs before a headache. Some people may not go through this stage. Migraine with aura has the following symptoms:
- Blurry vision
- Vision loss
- The appearance of geometric patterns, flashing or shimmering lights
- The appearance of blind spots in one or both eyes.
- Headache: This stage is characterized by pain on one or both sides of the head. The degree of pain varies from person to person as some may have mild pain and for others, it may be devastating. Apart from pain, there can be:
- Postdrome: Typically known as the migraine hangover stage, it follows the migraine headache. Approximately 80% of patients suffer from postdrome. Symptoms of postdrome include:
What triggers a migraine?
Things that may trigger a migraine attack include:
- Lack of sleep
- Jetlag
- Weather changes
- Alcohol
- Dehydration
- Hunger
- Certain foods
- Schedule changes
- Strong smells
- Menstruation
- Bruxism (teeth grinding at night)
What are the symptoms of migraines?
The two forms of migraine are migraine with aura and migraine without aura.
Migraine with aura: In this, a person might observe the below symptoms (aura) 10 to 30 minutes before an attack:
- Seeing flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots
- Numbness or tingling in the face or hands
- Altered sense of smell, taste, or touch
- Feeling mentally “fuzzy”
Migraine without aura: In this, a person does not have an aura, but has all the typical symptoms of an attack.
The symptoms of a migraine attack are:

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16 Surprising Headache Triggers and Tips for Pain Relief See SlideshowHow is migraine treated?
There’s no cure for migraine headaches. The physicians recommend that medications along with some alternative therapies may help to treat or even prevent a migraine attack.
Medications commonly used in the treatment of migraines are:
- Pain relief medicines
- Nausea medicine
- Some antidepressants, calcium-channel blockers, and beta-blockers may help prevent the attack.
Alternative therapies useful in treating migraine attacks include:
- Biofeedback: This technique involves recognizing the stressful situations that could trigger an attack and resolving it.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): This technique involves sending a pulse of magnetic energy to specific regions of the brain to stop or reduce pain.
Some lifestyle changes that may help prevent the attack include:
- Staying hydrated
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Regular exercise, but avoid exertion
- Keeping a track of all the triggers
- Taking preventive medicines to avoid migraine headaches around the time periods
- Eating at regular intervals
- Reducing stress
- Avoiding foods that trigger attacks
- Rubbing or applying the pressure to the spot where you feel pain
- Placing a cold cloth on the head during a headache
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Untreated migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours, but may last for weeks. Most headaches resolve within 24-48 hours. Doctors don't know exactly what causes migraine headaches; however, other headaches like tension headaches have more specific triggers and causes. Additional tests usually are required to diagnose migraine from other types of headaches, diseases, or other medical problems. Most headaches can be treated and cured with home remedies like essential oils, massage, and over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn) or ibuprofen (Advil, Midol, Motrin). Most headaches resolve with OTC and home remedy treatment, while your doctor may need to prescribe medication to treat your migraines. If you have the "worst headache of your life," seek medical care immediately.
Should I Go to the ER for a Migraine?
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Migraine is most commonly seen in women. Every three out of four women are affected by migraines.Some of the most common triggers affecting women are changes in hormonal levels or birth control pills, lack of sleep or too much sleep, and others
What Is the Best Thing to Do for a Migraine?
There is no permanent cure for migraine headaches, but there are migraine treatments that can prevent attacks and relieve symptoms. When you get migraines, you can ease the pain immediately by simple measures such as resting with your eyes closed in a dark, quiet room, putting an ice pack on your forehead, and staying hydrated by drinking plenty of liquids.