What to do if you always have migraines?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on March 22, 2025
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Migraine attacks are related to insufficient rest, staying up late, fatigue, or poor sleep, as well as certain foods consumed ordinarily, such as pickled foods and salted vegetables, which contain nitrites. Nitrites can trigger migraine attacks. Other foods like some dairy products and red wine can also easily trigger migraines. If migraines recur frequently, it's important to first identify the causes, such as staying up late or poor sleep. For poor sleep, sedative and sleep aid medications can be taken, and try to avoid staying up late. Also, consider if you frequently consume pickled foods, dairy products, or red wine, and if so, try to correct these habits, which might reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. Furthermore, during a migraine attack, you can take some pain relievers to alleviate the symptoms. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can migraine be treated with hot compress?

Patients with migraines are not advised to use heat compresses, as the heat may promote the dilation of blood vessels both inside and outside the skull, possibly worsening the migraine or even triggering an attack. Some people may experience migraines when taking hot baths, which is based on the same principle. Migraines are primarily caused by a dysfunction in the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, resulting in severe pain that is typically moderate to severe in intensity. The pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, a pulsing sensation in the blood vessels, and clinical symptoms such as photophobia (sensitivity to light) and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound). In terms of treatment, it is important to rest and provide the patient with a quiet environment, free from loud noises and bright lights. Appropriate pain relief medications should be taken, and if nausea and vomiting occur, antiemetic medications should be administered as well. Most symptoms will quickly subside, but it is important to focus on prevention.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How long will it take for the migraine to get better?

Migraine is very prevalent among young and middle-aged people, with sufferers usually experiencing unilateral, though sometimes bilateral, pulsating headaches. These may accompany a sensitivity to light and sound, along with significant nausea and vomiting. Typically, migraines resolve within 4-72 hours, meaning recovery generally occurs within three days. If it doesn’t resolve within three days, it’s referred to as a status migrainosus. During an acute migraine episode, it is important to rest, ensure adequate sleep, consume more fruits, and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment. Specific pain relievers such as triptans may also be used, and concurrent complications should be addressed. Furthermore, if migraines recur frequently, prophylactic treatment with medications like beta-blockers may be considered. (Please consult a professional physician before taking any medication.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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What should I do about migraines?

Patients with migraines can temporarily take oral painkillers to alleviate the symptoms, provided that it has been confirmed as a migraine attack, and not a headache caused by acute cerebrovascular diseases such as cerebral hemorrhage or subarachnoid hemorrhage. Typically, before a migraine attack, there may be an aura symptom involving changes in vision, followed by unilateral headache. These symptoms can recur, usually lasting several hours, and they can subside on their own without medication. These are the symptoms of migraines. Generally, migraines do not pose a significant health risk, so patients can temporarily treat it with symptomatic oral pain relief. During remission, it is advisable to take preventive measures such as avoiding staying up late, not overworking, and reducing the frequency of migraine attacks as much as possible.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What causes migraines?

Migraine is a very common type of headache, particularly among young people. The specific causes and mechanisms of migraine are not very clear at present. The main reasons are attributed to the following: First, vascular dysregulation, where abnormalities in the contraction and dilation of brain blood vessels can disrupt the regulation of blood supply to the brain, leading to headache attacks. Second, abnormal neuron discharges, where some people experience unusual discharges in the neurons of the cerebral cortex, causing migraines. Third, some experts believe that issues with the trigeminal ganglion can cause migraines. Additionally, migraines are closely related to excessive tension, anxiety, depression, poor sleep, and poor physical condition. Therefore, migraine sufferers should pay attention to rest, ensure good sleep, maintain a stable mood, and avoid excessive stress.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can migraines cause vomiting?

Patients with migraines may experience vomiting, which is one of the most common complications of migraines. The occurrence of vomiting in migraines is mainly because the headache may affect the vomiting center in the brainstem, such as affecting the solitary nucleus. Damage to the solitary nucleus can lead to gastrointestinal dysfunction and result in vomiting. Many patients find that their headache symptoms are alleviated after vomiting. In terms of treatment, on one hand, it is necessary to correct the occurrence of migraines, mainly by administering pain relief medications and allowing the patient to rest in a quiet environment. For vomiting, antiemetic medications can be given to the patient, either orally or by muscle injection. Most patients show significant clinical improvement after treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)