Migrane
A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head. It’s a common condition affecting 1/5 women and 1/15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood, and years may pass between episodes.
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Common Symptoms
- feeling sick
- being sick
- increased sensitivity to light and sound
Types of migraine include:
- migraine with aura – there are specific warning signs before the migraine starts, e.g. seeing flashing lights
- migraine without aura – the most common type, where there are no specific warning signs
- migraine aura without headache (silent migraine) – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced but a headache does not develop
Treatment
There’s no cure, but treatment is available to reduce the symptoms:
- Painkillers – over the counter medicine such as paracetamol and ibuprofen
- Triptans – medicines that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
- Anti-emetics – medicines often used to relieve peoples feeling of sickness (nausea) or being sick
- Sleeping or lying in a darkened room can help
- Eye check
- Reducing screen time
When should I book a GP?
You have frequent or severe migraine symptoms (more than 5 days a month) even if they can be controlled with painkillers as you may benefit from preventative treatment
Seek emergency care from 111 or 999 if:
- You have paralysis or weakness in one or both arms or one side of the face
- Have slurred or garbled speech
- You experience a sudden agonising headache resulting in severe pain unlike anything experienced before
- You have a headache, high temperature (fever), stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and a rash
