Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
How migraine is managed: confirm diagnosis, treat attacks early, consider prevention and know the emergency signs.
Migraine is managed, not cured. A good plan treats each attack early and lowers how often attacks happen.
Step 1: confirm the diagnosis
A doctor takes a history and examines you. Most migraine needs no scan. Tests such as MRI are used if there are red flags or unusual symptoms.
Step 2: treat attacks early
Take the medicine your doctor advised at the first sign of headache. Rest in a dark, quiet room, drink water and sleep if possible.
Step 3: choose the right medicine
Simple painkillers, triptans and anti-nausea medicines are common. Your doctor chooses by severity, other illnesses and pregnancy plans.
Step 4: consider prevention
If attacks are frequent or disabling, daily preventive medicine or other therapy may be added.
Step 5: build habits
Regular sleep and meals, water, exercise and stress care, plus a trigger diary.
Step 6: follow up
Review every few months. Tell the doctor how often attacks occur, how long they last, and how many painkiller days you use.
Where Ayurveda fits
Ayurvedic care may help some people feel better, but evidence is limited. Use it as an adjunct and tell your doctor.
Go to hospital (112 or 102) for
The worst headache of your life, sudden weakness, speech or vision loss, fever with stiff neck, or headache after a head injury.
Key point
Early treatment, steady habits and a doctor's plan control most migraine.
Remember
Keep a short written plan from your doctor: which medicine to take first, when to repeat it, and when to call or go to hospital.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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