Migraine is more than a headache

• It is a genetic, neurological brain disorder which affects people in different ways.
• 1 in 8 people have migraine. It affects more women than men.
• Very often people say “I just get normal headaches” but they do not realise that not everyone does experience headaches. A formal diagnosis can lead to the most beneficial medications and advice for managing this condition.
• It is worth speaking to your doctor if:-
  • Simple treatments bought over the counter don’t work.
  • Your headaches are becoming more frequent, severe or troublesome.
  • You have other symptoms such as visual disturbance, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
  • You notice that light, sound, smells or movement affect your headache.
  • You have other associated symptoms that are of concern to you.

Migraine Attack Phases

A migraine attack has four phases. The symptoms vary between phases.

Phase 1 (premonition) – Starts 2-72 hours before you are aware of the attack eg fatigue, neck stiffness, yawning, craving certain foods and passing more urine.

Phase 2 (aura) – Only occurs in approximately 25% people with migraine. These are symptoms which come and go in the hour before the headache starts eg visual disturbance, tingling sensations and weakness of muscles on one side.

Phase 3 (headache) – This typically lasts 4-72 hours (often a shorter time in children). The severity can change from one attack to another. Symptoms can include headache, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound/smell/movement and skin sensitivity.

Phase 4 (postdromal) – Can last a couple of days. It is often described as a hangover feeling or of feeling drained.

Migraine myths

• “It can’t be a migraine as I get the pain on both sides of my head”

A migraine headache can occur on both sides of the head.

• “It can’t be a migraine as I don’t vomit”

Not everyone with migraine headache will vomit. Some experience nausea and nausea and vomiting are not always features of each attack.

• “I can’t identify a trigger food”

If you always note that eating a particular food triggers an attack for you then it makes sense to avoid it. However, it is now thought that certain foods may be craved in the premonition phase which occurs in the hours before a headache starts.