Migraines are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. The typical migraine headache is pulsating and unilateral (affecting one-half of the head) and can be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down.

Some migraine sufferers experience sensory warning symptoms or signs (auras), such as flashes of light, blind spots or tingling in an arm or leg before the headache starts.

Many things can trigger a migraine. These include anxiety, stress, lack of food or sleep, exposure to light and hormonal changes (in women).

Although there is no cure, you can take pain-relieving medications during migraine attacks once symptoms have begun, or your doctor can prescribe preventive medications that you take regularly to reduce the severity or frequency of migraines. Your doctor will discuss a strategy on how to manage your migraines with you, depending on the frequency and severity of your headaches, the degree of disability your headaches cause, and your other medical conditions.

Whether or not you take preventive medications, you may benefit from lifestyle changes that can help reduce the number and severity of migraines.

    • Avoid triggers. If certain foods or smells seem to have triggered your headaches in the past, try to avoid them. In general, establish a daily routine with regular sleep patterns and regular meals. In addition, try to control stress. If you have excessive muscle contractions in the neck, physical therapy exercises performed daily are often helpful.
    • Exercise regularly. Regular aerobic exercise like walking, swimming and cycling reduces tension and can help prevent migraines. Warm up slowly, however, because sudden, intense exercise can cause headaches.
    • Reduce the effects of oestrogen. If you’re a woman with migraines and oestrogen seems to trigger or make your headaches worse, you may want to avoid or reduce the amount of medications you take that contain oestrogen. These medications include birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Talk with your doctor about the best alternatives or dosages for you.

Our Employee Wellbeing Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day if you want to know more about migraines.