Migraine Awareness Week

Sep 25

2 min read

21–27 September is Migraine Awareness Week here in the UK.

Over 10 million people experience migraines in the UK. Migraines are a complex, long‑term neurological condition that can affect the whole body. They vary from person to person, often last 4–36 hours, and recovery can take days. Migraine presentation can also change as you age, which is why many people don’t recognise early symptoms.

Symptoms of a migraine

The symptoms of a migraine can from person to person, however, they can include:

moderate to severe headache, often described as throbbing
headache that worsens with movement
sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
nausea
vomiting
visual changes (aura)
difficulty speaking
altered sensations
dizziness or balance changes
neck or facial tension

Early warning signs

Some migraine sufferers will experience early warning signs or prodrome symptoms. These early warning signs can occur hours or days before the actual migraine, and can include:

fatigue
mood changes
food cravings
neck stiffness
difficulty concentrating

These early warning signs can be helpful for a prompt to take medication, change pace or movement patterns.

Aura

Some people may experience an aura during the migraine. An aura is a change in sight, speech, or sensation. An aura isn't always a precurser to a migraine, and you don't have to have an aura to have a migraine.

Triggers

Again, like the symptoms of a migraine, these are individual and are not a sign of failure. Some common triggers include:

caffine
chocolate
cheese
stress
hormones
bright light
sleep issues

Treatment for a migraine

There are many approaches to migraine management, including:

GP‑prescribed medication to prevent or reduce attacks
anti‑sickness medication
pain relief
manual therapy such as chiropractic or massage. There is a good evidence base on chiropractic reducing the frequency and intensity of migraines and other headaces.
gentle movement, breathwork, pacing, and nervous‑system regulation, such as yoga