Tips to Manage Migraine Pain

All headaches can be painful and disruptive, but the severe pain and nausea of migraines is the most debilitating. If you suffer from migraines, you are not alone—an estimated 1 billion people worldwide have them. While there is no cure for migraines yet, here are our top tips to manage migraine pain and to help prevent or treat your next attack.

Migraines

Migraines are a neurological disorder (classified as a disabling illness) caused by nerve activity and changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain. They are characterised by recurring episodes, once a month or more, of moderate to severe, throbbing headaches on the front or side of the head that usually last from 4 to 72 hours if left untreated.

Common types

• Migraine without aura: Also known as an episodic migraine, it occurs without any warning signs and is the most common type.
• Migraine with aura: occurs after warning signs such as seeing auras or flashing lights.
• Silent migraine: A migraine with warning signs such as visual disturbances, tingling in the limbs, or difficulty speaking but a headache does not develop.

Symptoms

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms during a migraine episode—in fact, symptoms can vary wildly.

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Throbbing or pulsing pain on one (though sometimes both sides) of the head
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision or visual disturbances, such as seeing flashing lights or zigzag patterns
• Tingling or numbness in the face, arms, or legs
• Difficulty speaking or confusion
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Irritability or mood changes
• Neck stiffness or pain

Wondering if you are having a migraine or just a headache? People describe headaches, usually referring to tension headaches, as a dull ache or pressure around the forehead, temples, or back of the head, as opposed to a migraine which is more often described as a throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of the head.

The acronym POUND is a helpful tool to help you identify if you are having a migraine or not. If you have more than one of the ‘POUND’ symptoms you’re having a migraine.

POUND symptoms

• P for pulsating pain
• O for one-day duration of severe attacks
• U for unilateral (one-sided) pain
• N for nausea (and vomiting)
• D for disabling intensity

Causes & triggers

The exact cause of migraines is not fully understood, but it is likely a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors that can be different for everyone, and can be triggered by a variety of things, including:

• Chemical/Hormonal changes—such as fluctuations in serotonin in the brain, or in hormones, such as oestrogen, during a woman’s menstrual cycle or during menopause.
• Environmental factors—such as bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, and changes in weather or barometric pressure
• Emotional stress or physical stress—from illness, injury, or poor sleep
• Foods and drinks—such as aged cheeses, chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol
• Medications—such as oral contraceptives and vasodilators (medicines that dilate your blood vessels)
• Genetics—family history of migraine is the most potent and consistent risk factor.
• Gender—after puberty, women are 4x more likely than men to experience migraines

Women are 4x more likelythan men to experience migraines.

Migraine dos & don’ts

One of the most effective ways to avoid pain is to prevent migraines before they start. To do so, you need to identify your triggers and take steps such as these to avoid them:

Migraine pain management

Managing pain symptoms can be different for everyone and how you manage them will depend on their severity. But here are some of the most common ways to treat or relieve migraine pain once it starts:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications: For mild to medium (moderate) symptoms, try non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin, or other simple pain relievers like paracetamol.
• Prescription medications: Prescription medications such as triptans (serotonin stimulators) and ergot alkalines (organic compounds made naturally by plants that narrow blood vessels).
• Relaxation techniques: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga by reducing stress and tension.
• Ice or heat therapy: Applying a cold pack or warm compress to your head and neck works by reducing inflammation.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps reduce pain in some people by stimulating the brain to release endorphins and encephalins (the body’s natural pain killers).

Migraine medicine tool kit

For most migraine sufferers, we recommend you have the following over-the-counter (OTC) or shop medicines on hand:

Nurofen Express Max Strength 400mg – 20 Liquid Capsules

Nurofen Express Max Strength 400mg Liquid Capsules contain ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve mild to moderate pain and reduce inflammation. They are suitable for adults and young people aged 12 and over for conditions such as headaches, migraine, dental pain, period pain, muscular aches, and back pain.

Alka-Seltzer XS – 20 Effervescent Tablets

Alka-Seltzer XS Effervescent Tablets are a combination pain relief medicine used to treat headaches, migraines, toothache, period pain, and muscular aches. The effervescent format dissolves quickly in water, making it easy to swallow and helping the medicine to be absorbed rapidly.

Migraleve Pink – 24 Tablets

Migraleve Pink tablets are a specially formulated medicine designed to relieve the pain, nausea, and vomiting associated with migraines and migraine headaches. Each pack contains 24 pink tablets, providing effective relief when you need it most.

Buccastem M Buccal – 8 Tablets

Buccastem M Buccal tablets are an anti-nausea (anti-emetic) medicine used to relieve feelings of sickness and vomiting associated with migraines. They contain the active ingredient prochlorperazine and are designed to dissolve slowly in the mouth for effective relief.

4Head Effective Headache Relief Stick – 3.6g

4Head Effective Headache Relief Stick is a topical remedy designed to relieve headache discomfort by applying directly to the forehead — no tablets or water needed. It is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and over who prefer a non-oral option for headache relief.

References

Parastoo, A., et al (2021). Front Neurol. Migraine: A Review on Its History, Global Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Comorbidities

Tarannum, l. et al (2015). Headache. Accuracy of Family History Reports of Migraine in a Community-Based Family Study of Migraine

Rossi, M.F., et al (2022). Neurol Sci. Sex and gender differences in migraines: a narrative review

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