How long will it take for the migraine to get better?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 23, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 4sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
56sec home-news-image

What causes migraines with nausea?

Patients with migraines often experience significant nausea and vomiting, which is also an important diagnostic criterion in the diagnosis of migraines. The reason migraines cause nausea is primarily due to abnormalities in the trigeminal ganglion of migraine sufferers. These impulses may be transmitted to the solitary nucleus in the brainstem, which is mainly responsible for some autonomic nerves and closely related to vomiting. When the solitary nucleus is affected, obvious vomiting naturally occurs. Many migraine patients find that their symptoms are somewhat relieved after vomiting. The main treatment for migraine-induced vomiting is to have the patient rest quietly and take appropriate pain relief medication. If vomiting is pronounced, it is recommended that the patient take antiemetic drugs orally, preferably by muscle injection, which generally provides quick symptom relief.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
57sec home-news-image

Which area is moxibustion applied for migraines?

Migraines can be relieved through moxibustion by targeting specific acupoints to alleviate headache symptoms. Firstly, local acupoints can be selected; for migraines, you can use the Ah-Shi points, and also massage points such as the temples, Si Zhu Kong, Jiao Sun, Shuai Gu, and Feng Chi. Additionally, based on differential diagnosis, distant acupoints may be chosen. For instance, if the migraine is caused by external pathogens, add Feng Chi and Feng Fu points. If caused by phlegm and turbidity disturbances, add Feng Long and Zu San Li to clear phlegm and reduce turbidity. For migraines due to deficiency of qi and blood, add Qi Hai, Xue Hai, and Zu San Li to nourish yin and replenish qi, with the aim of treating deficiencies and alleviating pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
55sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
57sec home-news-image

How to suppress migraine and vomiting?

Patients with migraines typically experience unilateral or bilateral pulsating headaches. During severe headache episodes, they often experience significant symptoms of nausea and vomiting. This is because migraines can disrupt autonomic nervous function, and some neural nuclei in the brainstem emit impulses that cause nausea and vomiting. The treatment for vomiting includes the following aspects: First, patients should rest and avoid consuming foods that are hard to digest or are very tough. Second, patients can take orally or receive muscle injections of medications that treat vomiting, primarily those that promote gastrointestinal motility. Third, treating the migraine itself involves providing the patient with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain relief. Once the headache is alleviated, the nausea and vomiting will naturally subside.