Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAverage Duration of Migraine AttacksMigraine StagesFinding Relief for MigrainesPreventing Future MigrainesWhen to Get Help for a Migraine
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Average Duration of Migraine Attacks
Migraine Stages
Finding Relief for Migraines
Preventing Future Migraines
When to Get Help for a Migraine
Migraineis a complex brain disorder affecting more than 10% of the population worldwide.Prodrome,aura, headache, and postdrome are the four stages of a migraine attack, though a person may not cycle through each.
Migraine stages vary in duration, some lasting minutes and others lasting hours to days. Unique symptoms also mark each phase, common ones being nausea, temporary visual changes, a throbbing headache, and light sensitivity.
This article will discuss how long migraine attacks last and the symptoms you might experience during each stage. It will also provide insight into when to seek medical attention for your migraine and the treatment and preventive options available.
janiecbros / Getty Images.
A complete migraine attack—including all four stages (prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome)—can last more than one day to slightly longer than a week.
That said, most migraine attacks, from start to finish, generally last for one or two days.
Migraine
Migraine attacks occur in four stages, with the headache stage being the most common and the aura stage being the least common.
Prodrome
The prodrome stage may begin three days before a migraine headache. Its symptoms allow some people to accurately predict the headache up to 12 hours before it starts.
Taking migraine medication during this stage may lessen the intensity of the migraine attack or even stop it in its tracks.
Symptoms unique to the prodrome stage are excessiveyawning, food cravings, and frequent urination.
Other, perhaps more subtle potential prodrome symptoms include:
Aura
Migraine Aura: Reduced Oxygen Effects in the Cortex
The symptoms of aura are entirely reversible, with the most common ones being visual changes, like seeing shimmering lights, bright spots, or even losing sight temporarily.
Other potential aura symptoms include:
What Is Cortical Spreading Depression?CSD is an electrical wave slowly spreading along the brain’s outermost layer, causing dramatic changes in blood flow and nerve cell activity.
What Is Cortical Spreading Depression?
CSD is an electrical wave slowly spreading along the brain’s outermost layer, causing dramatic changes in blood flow and nerve cell activity.
Headache
Migraine headaches last about four hours to three days and are typically throbbing, pulsating, or pounding in quality, although some people describe the pain as burning, drilling, or stabbing.The headache is typically one-sided (unilateral) but can be located on both sides of the head (bilateral).
Other potential symptoms during the headache stage include:
Migraine vs. Headache: How to Tell the Difference
Postdrome
The postdrome stage signifies the brain’s recovery phase. It lasts one to two days and occurs in around 80% of people with a migraine attack.
Symptoms are highly variable in this stage, with over 250 reported, although more common ones include tiredness, thinking and memory difficulties, and neck stiffness. A depressed or even euphoric mood may also occur in this phase.
Postdrome Migraine: How to Cure a Migraine Hangover
You can find relief for acute migraine headaches, often through a combination of medication and soothing home remedies.
Medication
Medication for migraine should be taken as soon as symptoms begin. A healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter (OTC, not needing a prescription) or prescription drug depending on factors like migraine severity.
OTC drugs for migraine headaches include:
Take PrecautionDue to potential harm, only take medication, including OTC drugs, under the care of a healthcare provider. A medical provider can let you know if the drug is suitable for you or if it could cause harmful interactions with other substances you take.
Take Precaution
Due to potential harm, only take medication, including OTC drugs, under the care of a healthcare provider. A medical provider can let you know if the drug is suitable for you or if it could cause harmful interactions with other substances you take.
A prescription drug, like thetriptanImitrex (sumatriptan) or the combination NSAID/triptan Treximet (sumatriptan/naproxen), is often warranted for moderate to severe migraine headaches.
Research has found that triptans relieve headaches within two hours in 76% of people enduring an acute migraine attack.
Alternatives to triptans areReyvow(lasmiditan), which has a similar effect without causing blood vessel narrowing, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers, including:
Because Reyvow and the CRGP receptor blockers do not tighten blood vessels, they may be a safer option for people with an increased cardiovascular risk.
Studies show that only around 20% of people with migraines achieve pain relief two hours after taking one of the above CGRP receptor blockers. However, the drugs appear to become more effective over the following six hours or so.
Medications for Treating Migraine Headaches
Home Remedies
In combination with medication, various home remedies may help soothe a migraine headache, namely:
Alongside traditional migraine therapies, limited research suggests variousChinese herbal medicineformulations may help treat migraines.Raw ginger or ginger extracts may also be beneficial, especially for someone who cannot take migraine medication.
15 Alternative and Home Migraine Treatments
Avoiding triggers, engaging in healthy lifestyle behaviors, and taking medication (in some cases) can help prevent migraines.
Trigger Avoidance
Triggering factors are reported in over 75% of people with migraines, and avoiding or learning to cope with personal triggers is crucial to migraine prevention.
Examples of common migraine triggers include:
The Migraine-Estrogen Connection
Amigraine diaryis a valuable tool for pinpointing unique migraine triggers. In it, record your daily routine, such as your meals, sleep schedule, and activities.
If a migraine attack occurs, report your symptoms, the impact on daily functioning (e.g., in bed all day vs. being able to attend work/school), and the medication you used to ease the attack.
Healthy Lifestyle
In addition to identifying and eliminating triggers, a healthy lifestyle can help prevent migraine attacks. Experts recommend the following behaviors:
Moreover, since stress can trigger or aggravate migraine attacks, consider incorporating one or more stress-reducing techniques, likecognitive behavioral therapyormindfulness, into your migraine care.
Can a Migraine Diet Help Prevent and Manage Symptoms?
You might be a candidate for preventive migraine medication if you experience debilitating migraine attacks or cannot tolerate or obtain adequate relief from acute migraine drugs.
Moreover, preventive medication should be considered if you use acute drugs, like NSAIDs or triptans, more than two or three times per week.
What Can Happen With Migraine Medication Overuse?Medication overuse can lead torebound headachesor contribute to the conversion tochronic migraine, also called transformed migraine.
What Can Happen With Migraine Medication Overuse?
Medication overuse can lead torebound headachesor contribute to the conversion tochronic migraine, also called transformed migraine.
Several oral medications—initially developed for other health conditions—may be tried for migraine prevention. Preventive migraine drugs with the highest degree of effectiveness include:
These drugs have unique side effect profiles and must be taken daily. Keep in mind it can take two to six months to experience the drug’s full benefit.
VariousCGRP blockersmay also be used to prevent migraine, such as:
CGRP blockers for migraine prevention generally take effect within a month or two of use. They are typically well-tolerated and associated with fewer side effects than traditional oral migraine medications.
CGRP Inhibitors for Migraine Treatment
Call a healthcare provider if your migraine headache is debilitating and lasts more than 72 hours, even if you have periods of remission (12 hours or less) with sleep or medication.
You may be experiencing status migrainosus, also known asintractable migraine, requiring care in an emergency room or hospital.
Treatment for intractable migraines often requires a combination of intravenous fluids and medications, such asantiemetics(drugs that treat or prevent nausea and vomiting),corticosteroids, anti-seizure drugs, and NSAIDs.
Furthermore, see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing new migraine headaches and arepregnant, postpartum, over age 65, or have a history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or cancer.
Seek Emergency Medical AttentionGo to an emergency room or call 911 if your migraine or other headache develops suddenly and feels like the “worst headache of your life.“Also, seek emergency care if your migraine or other headache is associated with:SeizureWeakness or sensory changes on one side of your bodySevere vomitingFaintingFever or stiff neckPainful eyeA significant head or neck injury/trauma
Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if your migraine or other headache develops suddenly and feels like the “worst headache of your life.“Also, seek emergency care if your migraine or other headache is associated with:SeizureWeakness or sensory changes on one side of your bodySevere vomitingFaintingFever or stiff neckPainful eyeA significant head or neck injury/trauma
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if your migraine or other headache develops suddenly and feels like the “worst headache of your life.”
Also, seek emergency care if your migraine or other headache is associated with:
When Should You Worry About a Headache?
Summary
Migraine attacks have four distinct stages—prodrome, aura, headache, and postdrome. Unique durations and symptoms mark each stage. For example, the headache phase lasts between four and 72 hours and is associated with a throbbing headache, nausea and/or vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity.
Most migraine attacks last one to two days, although, in rare instances, they may last slightly longer than a week.
While there are numerous migraine treatments and preventive therapies, seek medical attention if your migraine headache lasts more than 72 hours, even if you have periods of remission (12 hours or less) with sleep or medication.
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