migraine symptoms

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

Updated on January 06, 2025

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The typical symptoms of migraine include unilateral pulsating headaches, usually located in the temporal area, where the patient can feel a pronounced throbbing of blood vessels. However, some patients may experience bilateral fluctuating headaches; bilateral headaches should not exclude the diagnosis of migraines. Patients may also experience nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and clinical manifestations such as aggravation of headache during routine activities, and may also exhibit symptoms of restlessness and unease. Additionally, some patients may experience visual auras, such as flashing lights or black spots in front of their eyes, before a migraine attack.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao

Neurology

1min 16sec

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What should you pay attention to in daily life if you have migraines?

Patients with migraines should pay attention to maintaining a regular daily schedule, avoid staying up late, avoid overworking, and ensure sufficient sleep. Additionally, there are some foods that can trigger migraine attacks, such as pickled foods and salty vegetables, which contain nitrites that may provoke migraines. Other foods, like certain dairy products and red wine, can also trigger migraine attacks. Patients who experience migraines should try to avoid these types of foods to minimize occurrences. What is a migraine? Migraines typically present as unilateral head pain. A common symptom before the onset of a migraine headache is experiencing prodromal symptoms such as changes in vision, blurred vision, altered shapes, and seeing rippling patterns. These symptoms appear shortly before the headache begins, characterizing a typical migraine attack. During an attack, one can take pain relief medication to ease the pain. Migraines generally do not cause significant health issues, and even without medication, the pain usually resolves within a few hours, so there is no need to worry excessively. The main focus should be on the above points to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao

Neurology

52sec

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Can you drink alcohol with a migraine?

Patients with migraines can appropriately drink some white liquor or beer, which is generally not a problem, but they must not drink red wine. This is because red wine and dairy products, such as cheese, can induce migraine attacks. Additionally, pickled foods like pickled vegetables contain nitrites, which can also trigger migraine attacks; therefore, it is best to avoid pickled foods as much as possible. Typically, before a migraine attack, there is a precursor symptom where vision changes occur. After these precursor symptoms disappear, migraine symptoms emerge. During a migraine attack, oral pain relievers can be taken for symptomatic treatment. Some patients may find relief on their own a few hours after not taking medicine. Symptoms may recur, so it is generally advised to identify and avoid these triggers to prevent migraine attacks.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao

Neurology

47sec

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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

56sec

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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.)

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Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

55sec

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What tea to drink for migraines?

Patients with migraines should avoid drinking strong tea. Research has confirmed that some stronger teas and coffee could potentially trigger migraines. This is because teas and other beverages containing theophylline can disrupt the contraction and relaxation functions of cerebral blood vessels. If you choose to drink tea, opt for lighter teas such as green tea, black tea, white tea, or floral teas. Additionally, it is crucial for migraine patients to rest adequately, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and minimize psychological stress, as these factors can easily trigger migraine attacks. If symptoms such as unilateral pulsating nausea and vomiting occur, it is necessary to promptly administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers for treatment.