Four phases. Most people only know one.
The headache is usually the only part of a migraine attack that people mention. There is often a phase that precedes it, sometimes an aura on top of it, and there is always a recovery phase afterwards that can be just as exhausting as the pain itself.
What often occurs together
Not every characteristic has to be correct, but together they form a recognizable picture.
🔔 It prodrome
Hours to a day before the pain: fatigue, yawning, cravings for sweets, mood swings. Most people only recognise this afterwards as part of the attack.
✨ The aura (not for everyone)
About 1 in 3 people get temporary visual symptoms such as zigzag lines, flickering or blind spots, sometimes tingling just before or at the onset of the pain.
⚡ The headache phase
Throbbing, often one-sided pain that worsens with movement, usually with nausea and hypersensitivity to light and sound. Untreated 4 to 72 hours.
🏓 The postdrome
After the pain: exhaustion, loss of concentration, sensitivity to stimuli. Many people underestimate how limiting this recovery phase is.
📋 Fixed triggers or a diary
Sleep deprivation, certain diet, stress (or the relaxation afterwards), hormonal fluctuations: a headache diary helps make patterns visible.
⏰ Taking medication more than 10 to 15 days per month
If you reach for painkillers more often than that, that itself is a signal to discuss with your GP, not something to continue quietly.
This is not an ordinary migraine, seek immediate care help
🏎 Need immediate help?
In case of immediate danger to yourself or someone else: call 112. Are you in distress or are you thinking about suicide? You can call or chat with 113 Suicide Prevention day and night via 0800-0113. Zorgfuik is not a crisis service and cannot solve acute requests for help, but we think it is important that you know where you can go.