A migraine is more than just a bad headache. It is a neurological disorder that can upend your daily activities for hours or even days.
In fact, migraine is the second leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide.
Given the impact that a migraine attack can have, many individuals who experience this type of headache seek out ways to prevent them.
If you can recognize pre-migraine symptoms, you may be able to stop the progression of a severe headache.
In this article, we’ll first explain what pre-migraine symptoms are and what to do if you notice these signs of a coming migraine headache.
Then we’ll discuss the phases of a migraine.
Lastly, we’ll go over when to see a doctor about any types of migraines or headaches.
Pre-Migraine Symptoms
There are four stages of a migraine attack.
The first stage goes by a few names: pre-migraine symptoms, prodrome phase, pre-headache, and premonitory phase.
Pre-migraine symptoms start a few hours or a few days before the head pain of a migraine sets in.
Prodrome stage symptoms vary from person to person and not everyone experiences them.
You may also experience different symptoms at different times depending on what is triggering your attack.
Pre-migraine symptoms can include:
Sensitivity or low tolerance to light and sound
Excessive yawning and fatigue
Mood changes
Food cravings
Trouble concentrating
Muscle pain, stiffness, or cramping
Gastrointestinal changes such as constipation or diarrhea
Increased urge to urinate
Experiencing migraines? Chat with a medical provider through K Health.
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What to Do If You Experience Pre-Migraine Symptoms
Being able to identify pre-migraine symptoms can help you take action to lessen the severity or length of migraine or even prevent a full migraine attack.
You may already have a plan from your healthcare provider of what to do when you notice pre-migraine symptoms. Whether or not that is the case, the tips below may help.
Take prescription medications as directed by your doctor
If your doctor has prescribed medication to prevent migraines, take it as directed.
If you take the medication and still experience prodrome, consult your healthcare provider.
Take over-the-counter pain relief medicine
If you notice pre-migraine symptoms, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol), naproxen (Aleve), aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help delay or downgrade the severity of migraine symptoms.
If you already take other medication for migraine, do not take additional pain relievers unless your doctor has approved it.
Avoid any known migraine triggers
There are many possible migraine triggers, including certain foods, stress, and strong odors.
If you notice prodrome symptoms, limiting exposure to your triggers may help prevent a full-on migraine attack.
Rest and relax
It’s easier said than done, but rest and relaxation may help.
Take a nap, go to bed early, or lie down in a comfortable position.
Practicing meditation may also help decrease pain associated with migraine onset.
Find a dark, quiet space
Bright lights and loud noises are common migraine triggers.
If you notice signs of a pre-migraine, finding a dark, quiet space may help reduce the neurological stimulation that can progress to a full migraine.
Take a hot shower or bath to relax muscles
Neck pain and other muscle tension are symptoms of migraine, not causes.
Still, a hot shower or bath may help relax muscles, ease tension, and promote overall relaxation.
Drink a small amount of caffeine
Large amounts of caffeine can negatively affect people who suffer from migraine, but small amounts may relieve pain and support how well OTC pain medication works.
A cup of coffee may be enough to help.
The Phases of a Migraine
Migraines have four distinct phases, although not everyone who gets migraines experiences every phase for the same amount of time.
Prodrome
Pre-migraine symptoms are known as the prodrome phase.
This tends to happen anywhere from a few hours to a few days before a migraine headache begins.
Typical prodrome symptoms include:
Light and sound sensitivity
Excessive yawning
Mood changes
Food cravings
Poor concentration
Neck and muscle pain
Gastrointestinal changes such as constipation or diarrhea
Increased urge to urinate
Sometimes prodrome symptoms are so mild that you may not notice them.
This is especially true if you are already tired, stressed, or feeling unwell.
Aura phase
People who have migraines with aura typically experience the aura phase after prodrome symptoms.
Aura may happen shortly before or up to a few hours before a migraine attack.
Sometimes aura starts at the same time as the migraine.
Aura can involve visual, auditory, sensory, or motor symptoms:
Visual: Flickering, jagged lights, bright lines, or a blind spot
Auditory: Tinnitus, music, or other noises
Sensory: Tingling, numbness, pins and needles feelings, trouble finding the right words or speaking, or changes to the way things taste
Motor: A rare form of migraine known as hemiplegic migraine may cause balance problems or weakness on one side of the body or face.
Attack phase
The attack phase is what most people refer to as “having a migraine”.
This is when moderate to severe head pain sets in.
The pain is typically concentrated on one side of the head rather than all over.
It may be throbbing and worsen during movement, activity, or sensory exposure.
Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Besides head pain, migraines may cause other symptoms such as:
Postdrome phase
The postdrome phase is also referred to as the post-migraine or resolution stage.
It begins after the head pain has resolved and may last for a few hours or a few days.
Postdrome migraine symptoms tend to include:
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Even though the migraine is over, continue avoiding migraine triggers and taking care of yourself as if you still have a migraine.
If you have chronic migraine, it is possible to get another migraine headache if something triggers it.
Experiencing migraines? Chat with a medical provider through K Health.
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When to Seek Medical Attention
While it’s easy to downplay headaches, migraines are not just head pain.
They are a result of neurological changes in the brain.
If you experience recurrent moderate to severe headaches and any of the below applies, see a healthcare provider:
OTC pain relievers do not help reduce the pain
Head pain becomes disabling or prevents you from functioning
You have other neurological symptoms
A doctor can identify the cause of your head pain and diagnose if you’re having migraines.
In many cases, preventive treatment options are available.
If you have trouble speaking or notice weakness on one side of your body, seek emergency medical care.
Although this can be a sign of a hemiplegic migraine, unless you have been diagnosed with this rare migraine disorder, visit an ER to ensure you are not having a more serious medical emergency like stroke.
How K Health Can Help
Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app? Download K Health to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a provider in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is based on 20 years of clinical data.