If you get severe headaches but don’t know what’s causing them, or if the pattern of your headaches changes, it is important for you to consult a doctor.

alcoholic drinks (especially red wine and beer)Ħ migraine triggers When should I see my doctor?.hormonal changes, such as menstruation, and the oral contraceptive pill for women.altered sleep patterns - too much or too little sleep.eating certain foods, such as cheese, chocolate, citrus, red wine and food additives (for example, monosodium glutamate).missing meals - this is the strongest dietary trigger.Some people find that migraines are triggered by certain things, including: They can run in families, but just because one family member gets them doesn’t mean another will. Migraines are thought to be caused by temporary changes in blood vessels and chemicals in the brain. Nobody knows what causes migraines, although genetics and environmental factors seem to have a role. A migraine can be so painful and distressing that everyday activities become impossible.ĬHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS - Use our headache Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. This can last anywhere between a few hours and a few days. You might feel sick, and you might vomit. Your heads throbs, and it might hurt to see bright lights or hear noises. When the migraine starts, it is a severe pain usually only on one side of the head (unlike a tension headache, which is usually felt on both sides of the head). This can happen before or during a migraine. An aura is when someone sees flashing lights or a change in their vision, while others can find problems with their speech, and some feel pins and needles in their arms and legs. Many people who have migraines feel vaguely unwell for a day or two beforehand. you are sensitive to light and have a new rash.you have nausea or vomiting (if not clearly related to a flu or hangover).you have trouble seeing, walking or speaking.it comes on suddenly, is very severe, or has made you lose consciousness.But headaches can also be a sign of a serious illness, such as a stroke or meningitis.Ĭall triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance, or go to the hospital emergency department if you have a headache and: There may be ways to prevent them, and there are good treatments for them. Migraines are common and usually very painful. They also frequently report throbbing pain that worsens with normal activity. Migraine sufferers may experience nausea and vomiting as well as sensitivity to light or sound. Migraines are severe headaches that typically last for between 4 and 72 hours. Related information on Australian websites.How are migraines prevented or managed?.Or if your headache follows a head injury or it is accompanied by other symptoms that concern you. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or go to the hospital emergency department if you have a sudden, very severe headache and this is the first time this has happened.

Migraine aura