Being told to just take a painkiller and rest misses what a migraine actually is. It is a common neurological condition, and for many people an attack forces them into a dark, quiet room and out of ordinary life for hours or even days.
A migraine attack often brings a throbbing pain, frequently on one side of the head, that worsens with movement. Around it come other symptoms that set it apart, such as nausea or vomiting and a strong sensitivity to light, sound or smell, and some people get warning signs beforehand, including visual disturbances like flashing lights or blind spots, known as an aura. According to the World Health Organization, headache disorders including migraine are among the most common conditions of the nervous system.
Migraine is very common, tends to run in families, and is more common in women, partly due to hormonal influences, and it often begins in younger adulthood and can change over a lifetime. Because the symptoms can overlap with other conditions, and because a sudden severe headache can occasionally signal something more serious, new or changing headaches are worth having assessed by a doctor.
Triggers differ for everyone, but common ones include irregular sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, stress or the let-down after stress, certain foods, strong sensory input, and for some women, points in the menstrual cycle. Triggers do not cause migraine on their own, but learning your own patterns can help you avoid some attacks, and a simple headache diary noting when attacks happen and what came before them is one of the most useful things to bring to a doctor.
There are two sides to treatment. One is treating an attack when it comes, which works best when done early and correctly, and a doctor can guide which approach suits you. The other is prevention, which matters when attacks are frequent or disabling and can include regular routines, managing triggers and, in some cases, preventive medicines. As the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes, overusing painkillers can actually make headaches worse over time, which is another reason to get proper guidance.
Some warning signs need urgent care rather than routine management: a sudden, severe, thunderclap headache unlike any before, a headache with fever and a stiff neck, weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, or a headache after a head injury all need prompt medical attention.