Migraine is attacks of throbbing headache, usually one-sided, lasting hours to days, with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people get an "aura" first: zigzag lights or tingling. It is exhausting but not dangerous in itself — what matters is knowing when a headache is something else.

In short — what to do

  1. Act early: your usual painkiller in the first 30–60 minutes works far better than delaying "until it's bad".
  2. A dark quiet room — light and noise are the attack's fuel.
  3. A cold compress on the forehead or neck relieves many.
  4. Drink water — dehydration is a common trigger — and sleep if you can.
  5. Record your attacks: when, how long, what preceded them (sleep? hunger? foods? period?) — the attack diary opens the door to preventive treatment.

Videos for this topic

A migraine attack: four steps to get through it

26 seconds

Act early: your usual painkiller in the first 30–60 minutes, a dark quiet room, a cold compress on the forehead or neck, and water. A thunderclap headache that peaks in seconds, or one with fever and a stiff neck, weakness or slurred speech: emergency now.

Watch it on Instagram

Migraine in traffic: be ready

16 seconds

Record your attacks: when, how long, and what came before — the attack diary opens the door to preventive treatment. See your doctor if attacks come more than 4 days a month or your usual headache pattern changes.

Migraine and fasting — is there a magic cure? Dr Osama answers

1 minute

Act early with your usual painkiller, a dark quiet room, a cold compress, and water. If attacks come more than 4 days a month, preventive treatment may change your life — see your doctor.

Your painkiller early + a dark quiet room — and the headache
Your painkiller early + a dark quiet room — and the headache "unlike yours" goes to the ER
The full details

During the attack: what helps

  1. Act early: your usual painkiller in the first 30–60 minutes works far better than delaying "until it's bad".
  2. A dark quiet room — light and noise are the attack's fuel.
  3. A cold compress on the forehead or neck relieves many.
  4. Drink water — dehydration is a common trigger — and sleep if you can.
  5. Record your attacks: when, how long, what preceded them (sleep? hunger? foods? period?) — the attack diary opens the door to preventive treatment.

When does migraine need a doctor?

  • Frequent attacks disrupting work or study (more than 4 days a month) — preventive treatment can change your life.
  • Painkillers no longer work, or you use them more than 10–15 days a month (medication-overuse headache is real).
  • Your known headache pattern changes.

This is NOT migraine — ER immediately

  • A thunderclap headache peaking within seconds ("worst of my life").
  • Headache with fever and stiff neck, or a rash.
  • With limb weakness, speech disturbance, or confusion — could be a stroke.
  • A completely new headache after fifty, or after a head injury.

One moment

A migraineur knows their attacks like a fingerprint — the real danger is the headache that "doesn't feel like yours". The new and different goes to the ER, not the familiar and painful.

This content is for general health education only and is not medical advice. Always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. In an emergency, call 998.

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