Does a migraine hurt a lot?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on February 14, 2025
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Migraine is a severe type of headache, but generally does not last long and usually does not come with symptoms of limb weakness or nausea and vomiting. It often resolves on its own after a few hours, even without treatment. Typical migraine attacks often have some precursory symptoms related to vision changes, such as blurred vision, distorted shapes, or the appearance of water-like ripples; these symptoms are followed shortly by headaches, either on one side or both sides of the head. Migraines do not generally have a major impact on one's health. During an attack, taking ibuprofen sustained-release capsules can help alleviate the pain. Additionally, it is recommended to avoid staying up late and overworking. Certain foods, such as pickled products, salty vegetables, and nitrates, can trigger migraines; some dairy products and red wine can also provoke headaches, so it is best to avoid these foods to prevent migraines.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
54sec home-news-image

Can I wash my hair if I have a migraine?

Patients with migraines should avoid washing their hair during an attack. Water that is too hot or too cold can stimulate the dilation or spasm of cerebral blood vessels, potentially worsening migraine symptoms. Therefore, it is advised not to wash hair during a migraine attack, though it is fine during remission periods. During a migraine attack, symptomatic oral pain relievers and medications to alleviate vascular spasms can be used for treatment. It is important to prevent migraines by avoiding staying up late and overexertion. Additionally, certain foods known to trigger migraines should be avoided, including foods containing nitrites such as leftovers, pickled vegetables, and other preserved foods which may contain nitrites. Foods like red wine and cheese can also trigger migraines and should be consumed with caution. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Migraine continues to hurt for several days.

Migraine headaches that persist for several days might be a sign of a migraine condition. It's essential to handle this promptly to alleviate pain and improve the patient's quality of life. The following treatments are recommended for such patients. First, it's crucial to take pain-relief medication as soon as possible. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. If the pain remains severe and the effect is not apparent after taking these, one could use specific migraine medications like ergot preparations or triptans. Additionally, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers may be used, which can also produce good results. Migraine patients often suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, and irritability. It might be appropriate to administer benzodiazepines, which can also benefit headache relief. (Please use medication under professional medical guidance and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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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.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How to alleviate migraine symptoms?

When a migraine attack occurs, the clinical manifestations are very obvious. The patient will experience moderate to severe headaches, accompanied by nausea and vomiting, which are quite painful. Generally, the following methods can be used to relieve the symptoms: First, most patients can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, which can inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and have a significant effect on relieving pain. Second, if the patient's headache is very severe, they can also choose specific ergot preparations or triptan medications for treatment. Third, accompanying symptoms should be promptly addressed. If nausea and vomiting occur, some antiemetic agents can be administered via muscle injection. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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What should I do if I have severe migraines?

Migraine is a very common type of headache with a high incidence rate. Severe migraines can lead to nausea, vomiting, and even an inability to move, significantly impacting the patient's life and work. When migraines are severe, they can be managed by taking oral medications, specifically drugs that target migraines, mainly ergot preparations and triptans. However, these medications should not be used by patients with severe hypertension or by pregnant women. Additionally, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be taken to provide relief. Furthermore, symptomatic treatment should be administered for nausea and vomiting, using antiemetic drugs. If migraines frequently occur and severely affect life, preventive treatments can also be undertaken with oral medications. These mainly include receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists.