How to relieve a migraine?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on February 18, 2025
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When a migraine occurs, one can temporarily take some painkillers for symptomatic treatment, which can quickly alleviate the pain. The prerequisite is to ensure that it is indeed a migraine. Typically, before a migraine starts, there are some precursor symptoms related to vision where one might experience blurred vision, distorted vision, or see wave-like patterns in front of their eyes. The headache symptoms often follow these visual symptoms after a short duration. Migraines can recur, and even without treatment, some may completely resolve within a few hours, which is typical of migraines. The occurrence of a migraine generally does not have a major impact on one's health, so one can take painkillers for symptomatic treatment. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid staying up late and overworking. Foods such as pickled products, cheese, and red wine should also be avoided as much as possible, as they can trigger migraine attacks.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What causes migraines with nausea?

Patients with migraines often experience significant nausea and vomiting, which is also an important diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of migraines. The reason migraines cause nausea is primarily due to abnormalities in the trigeminal ganglion of migraine sufferers. These impulses may be transmitted to the solitary nucleus in the brainstem, which is mainly responsible for some autonomic nerves and closely related to vomiting. When the solitary nucleus is affected, obvious vomiting naturally occurs. Many migraine patients find that their symptoms are somewhat relieved after vomiting. The main treatment for migraine-induced vomiting is to have the patient rest quietly and take appropriate pain relief medication. If vomiting is pronounced, it is recommended that the patient take antiemetic drugs orally, preferably by muscle injection, which generally provides quick symptom relief.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Where does the migraine hurt?

The location of migraine pain is generally most commonly on one side, particularly in the frontal and temporal areas, which are the temples. Patients may feel a distinct pulsing in the blood vessels, and the pain can be quite severe, accompanied by significant nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. However, some migraine sufferers experience bilateral pain in the frontal and temporal areas, meaning both temples feel significantly painful. The treatment primarily involves administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications. If the patient also experiences significant nausea and vomiting, these symptoms need to be addressed as well. Additionally, migraine sufferers tend to be very sensitive to strong light and sound stimuli; it is recommended that they rest in bed during a migraine attack. If migraine attacks are frequent, it is advisable to take preventative medications orally.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to treat migraines

Migraine is a very common type of headache clinically. Its treatment mainly includes the following aspects: The first method involves giving patients some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers for treatment, which most patients find relieving. If the headache is severe and these drugs are not effective, then it is necessary to use some specific drugs, mainly ergot preparations. Second, symptomatic treatment. Migraine patients are prone to complications such as nausea and vomiting, and can be treated with some antiemetic drugs. Third, patients should rest in a quiet environment, avoid strong light and loud noises, and maintain a calm mood. Additionally, if migraines recur frequently, preventative treatment is recommended. The treatment plan mainly includes some calcium channel blockers and some β-blockers.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Symptoms of Migraine

Typical migraine attacks start with prodromal symptoms. Common prodromal symptoms include blurred vision, distorted vision, or the appearance of water-like patterns. Shortly after these symptoms disappear, headache symptoms on one side of the head appear, often accompanied by nausea and in a few cases, vomiting. These symptoms can subside completely within a few hours and can recur. The occurrence of migraines is greatly related to diet, such as pickled foods and leftovers that contain nitrates, which can trigger a migraine attack. It is best to avoid these, as well as cheese and red wine which can also trigger migraines. During a migraine attack, symptomatic oral pain relievers can be used for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What are the symptoms of migraines?

The main symptoms of migraines include the patient experiencing photophobia and phonophobia, meaning a sensitivity to light and sound respectively. These stimuli can significantly worsen the headache. Patients often prefer to rest or sleep in a quiet environment. The second major symptom is a pronounced pulsating headache on one side, where the patient can feel a palpable throbbing of the blood vessels. Additionally, patients may also experience significant nausea and vomiting. Some migraine sufferers may have visual disturbances, such as seeing flashes of light or observing moving water-like visuals. At times, migraine patients may also experience episodes of vertigo, referred to as cluster migraines. Therefore, it is evident that migraine symptoms are quite common and need to be recognized and treated accordingly.