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One of the most common ways migraines impact everyday life is that they occur unexpectedly, and often include significant pain and discomfort. There are 4 migraine stages, each bringing its own signs and symptoms. Therefore, to better manage the attacks themselves, it is important to learn your personal triggers associated with your migraine attacks. Combining some lifestyle modifications, some self-care strategies, and medical assistance, you can minimise the number of migraines you experience and lessen their severity.
In this blog, we will help you with the knowledge you need to be able to sense early warning signs and take action. This will help take control of your migraines and your life, and improve your potential quality of life.
Synopsis
What is Migraine?
A migraine is more than just a headache. It’s a neurological condition that can cause intense, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head. You might also experience sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, nausea, and sometimes visual disturbances, which are called auras. Migraines can last for hours and even days, making everyday tasks difficult. While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, changes in brain activity, genetics, and certain triggers can play a role. Knowing the common migraine stages, patterns of your migraine episodes, and early warning signs can help you manage attacks more effectively. With the right strategies, you can truly reduce their impact on your daily life.
Migraine Stages
Migraines often unfold in 4 stages, each with its own signs and symptoms. Understanding these phases can help you recognise an attack early, manage symptoms more effectively, and take steps to reduce its impact on your day.
Prodrome
The prodrome stage is often the first hint that a migraine is on its way. You may also notice subtle changes in your mood, energy levels, or appetite up to a day before the headache starts. Some people feel unusually tired, irritable, or crave certain foods. Recognising these early warning signs can give you time to take preventive steps, such as resting, staying hydrated, or avoiding known triggers. Paying attention to your body during this phase can help reduce the impact of the migraine.
Aura
Not everyone will have an aura, but for those who experience them, an aura can be a distinct signal that a migraine attack is on the way. Auras are one of the most common migraine stages that are characterised by sensory discrepancies, like flashes of light, blind spots, tingling in the hands/face, or even difficulty speaking. Auras usually occur anywhere between 5 minutes to 60 minutes prior to or during the headache phase. Auras can feel particularly unnerving, but they can also give you the power to act decisively, take any other medication that you might have been prescribed, and get prepared for the impending migraine.
Headache
This is the phase that most people associate with a migraine attack. The pain that is felt is typically described as pulsating or throbbing, usually felt on one side/more than one side of the head, and can last anywhere from a few hours to three days. You may also find yourself sensitive to light, sound, or smells, and experience nausea or a feeling of dizziness. At this point, it may become difficult to conduct standard daily activities, and resting in a quiet, dark place, along with following your treatment plan for managing pain, may be beneficial.
Postdrome
Once you have recovered from the headache, you begin the postdrome stage, sometimes referred to as the “migraine hangover”. You may feel exhausted, fatigued, weak, or particularly sensitive to light and sound. Some individuals have mild residual pain or experience difficulty with concentration or changes to mood during the postdrome. The duration of this migraine stage can range from a few hours to two days. During this time, be gentle with yourself, hydrate, and take your time returning to normal activities as you allow your body to recover. Recognising this final stage reminds you that the migraine has passed and self-care is still important.
Migraine Symptoms
Migraines can have more effects than just on your head. If you can identify the symptoms early, there may be ways to manage the attacks and ease the discomfort.
You can expect to experience some common migraine symptoms seen below:
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Throbbing or pulsating headache, most often on one side of the head
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Sensitivities to light, sound, or smell
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Nausea and vomiting
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Visual disturbances (aura) of either flashes of light or blind spots
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
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Change in mood, either irritability or sadness
What Triggers Migraine?
There are many different factors that can trigger migraine, and understanding your migraine triggers can help you either stop your migraine attack or minimise the migraine attack.
Some common migraine triggers are:
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Stress |
Both emotional stress and even physical stress may trigger a migraine |
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Hormones |
Hormonal changes can trigger a migraine, like during the menstrual period, pregnancy, or menopause |
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Food and drink |
Certain foods and even drinks can trigger a migraine. Aged cheese, processed meats, caffeine, and alcoholic beverages are triggers for some people |
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Changes in sleep |
Some people find that sleeping less than usual or more than usual can trigger a migraine |
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Sensory stimuli |
Some people have bright lights, loud sounds, and strong smells that trigger their migraines |
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Environmental triggers |
Changes in weather, such as a change in altitude, or strong smells can sometimes trigger migraines |
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Medication triggers |
Some medications, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs, can give you a migraine as a side effect |
Migraine Treatments
Managing migraines requires a multifaceted approach that aims to help you reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of attacks.
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Self-care strategies and lifestyle changes are often the first step and will include the following: ensuring sufficient sleep, staying hydrated, regular meals, stress management, and avoiding known triggers. Mild attacks may be managed with medications, mild exercise, and/or mindfulness techniques (eg, yoga) will limit the possibility of a migraine developing.
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Medication is key for both the prevention and treatment of migraines. For mild attacks, you may learn which remedies may include over-the-counter medications ( ibuprofen or paracetamol). More serious attacks may require contraindicated medications, such as triptans, or preventative medications for longer-standing or unwanted circumstances. Some people may benefit from antiemetics for migraine episodes.
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Alternative therapies, which include acupuncture, biofeedback, or relaxation therapy, can be effective adjuncts to drug therapy, including pharmacognosis, for the management of some migraines. A migraine log (diary) can also assist in identifying specific triggers by tracking the frequency, nature of symptoms, and remedies (therapies) that you use or have used previously.
Combining self-care strategies, medication, and professional support may enable you to improve everyday function from a migraine neurological standpoint, while reducing limitations or restrictions from migraines.
Conclusion
Migraines can be medically debilitating. With careful attention to migraine stages, symptoms, and migraine triggers, you can learn how to deal with migraines. Understanding the differences between types of migraines and the stages of the disease can make all the difference in how quickly you and your doctor can deal with the pain and disruption of your life. Avoiding triggers, practising a few simple self-care strategies, and accessing appropriate medical resources will help you minimise the impact of migraines on your life, both in terms of the number of attacks you have and the intensity of the pain.
For expert migraine care, consult our migraine specialists at Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road.
FAQ's
Yes, anyone can get a migraine. However, migraine has a strong genetic basis, although environmental factors tend to trigger it.
A migraine might last from a few hours to three days, depending on the individual and severity.
No, definitely not. A migraine is certainly more than just a really bad headache. Migraines usually include nausea, light sensitivity, and sometimes, visual disturbances - called auras.
Yes, getting enough sleep, avoiding excess stress, eating regularly, and avoiding triggers can help reduce or prevent migraine attacks.
You should seek medical advice when you have a migraine attack that occurs frequently, is severe, is different from your normal headache pain, or you are unable to control migraine activity with over-the-counter medications, or pain relief is inadequate.
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