Migraine Treatment: Triggers, Relief During an Attack and Prevention
Learn migraine symptoms, common triggers, what helps during an attack, preventive migraine treatment options, and when you need urgent care.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shakilur Rahman, MBBS, FCPS (Part 1), MD (Phase B) · Reviewed on 4 November 2026
A migraine is not "just a bad headache". For many people it means hours — sometimes days — of throbbing pain, nausea, and needing to lie in a dark, quiet room. It can mean missed classes, missed work and missed family events. Good migraine treatment can change that.
The NHS says migraine cannot be cured, but treatment can help manage attacks and prevent them. This guide explains how to recognise migraine, find your triggers, and work with a doctor on a treatment plan that suits you.
Migraine Symptoms
The NHS lists the main symptoms of a migraine attack:
- A throbbing headache — can be severe, often on one side, and worse when you move
- Feeling or being sick (nausea and vomiting)
- Being very sensitive to light and sound
Early symptoms
Some people notice signs hours or up to 2 days before the pain, such as:
- Feeling very tired and yawning a lot
- Craving certain foods or feeling thirsty
- Mood changes
- A stiff neck
- Peeing more
Aura
Some people get warning signs called aura (NHS):
- Sight problems — zigzag lines or flashing lights
- Numbness or tingling (pins and needles)
- Feeling dizzy
- Difficulty speaking
The NHS says aura symptoms should not last longer than 1 hour.
How long attacks last
The NHS says migraine attacks usually last between 4 hours and 3 days. Some people have attacks several times a week; others rarely.
Menstrual migraine
Attacks just before or during a period are called menstrual migraines, and the NHS says they're often longer and more severe. Migraine often improves after the menopause and sometimes in pregnancy.
What Causes Migraine?
The NHS says the exact cause isn't known, but it involves changes to nerves and blood vessels in the brain. You're more likely to have it if a close family member does, and women are more likely to get migraine than men.
Common Migraine Triggers
The NHS lists triggers including:
- Having your period
- Anxiety and depression (see anxiety symptoms and getting help)
- Stress and tiredness
- Skipping meals or not eating regularly
- Too much caffeine
- Not getting enough regular exercise
Possible everyday triggers in Bangladesh
- Long hours in heat without enough water
- Irregular meals, especially on busy workdays or during fasting
- Late nights and broken sleep
- Bright sunlight or glare
- Loud noise in traffic
- Strong tea several times a day — or suddenly missing it
Triggers differ from person to person. That's why a diary helps.
Keep a migraine diary
The NHS suggests keeping a migraine diary. Record:
- Date, start time and how long it lasted
- Warning signs or aura
- Food, drinks and caffeine that day
- Sleep, stress, periods
- Medicines taken, the time, and whether they helped
Example
Nadia, 26, a university student in Sylhet, gets throbbing one-sided headaches with nausea about twice a month. Her diary shows most attacks start the day before her period, or after she skips breakfast and sleeps late before exams. With regular meals, better sleep, and a treatment plan from her doctor for the days around her period, she has fewer and milder attacks.
Migraine Treatment During an Attack
The NHS says treatment for symptoms includes:
- Painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol
- Medicines called triptans and gepants (prescription)
- Anti-sickness medicines
Key tip: take it early
The NHS advises: if you're taking painkillers, take them as soon as your headache starts.
What else helps (NHS)
- Sleep or lie down in a darkened room
- Stay well hydrated
Caution about painkillers
The NHS warns: try not to take painkillers for more than 2 days a week, as this can cause more headaches and make migraine harder to treat. In Bangladesh, where painkillers are easy to buy, this is a common hidden problem.
If dengue is possible (fever in mosquito season), avoid ibuprofen until a doctor has ruled it out.
Preventing Migraine Attacks
Preventive medicines
The NHS lists options a doctor may consider:
- Medicines such as beta blockers, certain antidepressants, and certain epilepsy medicines (used for migraine prevention, not because you have epilepsy or depression)
- Vitamin B2
- Acupuncture
- Relaxation techniques and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
These are prescribed or recommended by a doctor based on how often and how severe your attacks are. You may need to try a combination before finding what works. If nothing helps, you may be referred to a specialist.
Lifestyle steps (NHS)
- Avoid known triggers
- Stay well hydrated, and limit caffeine and alcohol
- Keep a healthy weight
- Eat meals at regular times
- Get regular exercise
- Get plenty of sleep (see how to sleep better)
- Manage stress
When to See a Doctor
The NHS advises seeing a doctor if:
- Your migraine attacks are severe, getting worse, or lasting longer
- You have attacks more than once a week
- You're finding it difficult to control your migraine
- You regularly get migraine before or during your period
Urgent advice needed if (NHS):
- A migraine has lasted longer than 72 hours
- Aura lasts longer than 1 hour
- You're pregnant or have just had a baby
Emergency: Call 999
These match the headache red flags that need emergency care.
The NHS says call 999 if you or your child:
- Has a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful
- Has problems speaking or remembering
- Loses vision, or has blurred or double vision
- Feels drowsy or confused
- Has a seizure
- Has a very high temperature and symptoms of meningitis, such as a stiff neck or a rash
Also get emergency help for weakness or numbness on one side of the body — this may be a stroke, not a migraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop a migraine fast?
Take your painkiller or prescribed medicine as soon as the headache starts, and lie down in a dark, quiet room.
What is the difference between a migraine and a headache?
Migraine is typically throbbing, often one-sided, worse with movement, and comes with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Can migraine be cured?
The NHS says it can't be cured, but treatment can manage and prevent attacks. Many people improve with age.
Are migraines dangerous?
Usually not, but sudden severe headache, aura lasting over an hour, or neurological symptoms need urgent care.
Why do I get migraines during my period?
Hormone changes can trigger attacks. The NHS calls these menstrual migraines. A doctor can suggest treatment.
Can tea cause migraine?
Too much caffeine is a listed trigger (NHS). Cutting down gradually may help.
Get a Migraine Plan From a ShifaMate Doctor
If you have recurring migraines without red-flag symptoms, you can consult a verified doctor through ShifaMate. Share your migraine diary, what medicines you've tried, and how often you take painkillers. The doctor can advise on treatment and prevention and issue a digital prescription when clinically appropriate. You can also browse ShifaMate doctors.
For a sudden extremely painful headache, weakness, or confusion, call 999.
References
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor.
Sources
Last updated: 4 November 2026
This article is general health information, not medical advice for any individual. For your own situation, consult a registered doctor. In an emergency, go to the nearest hospital without delay.
