Migraine

A migraine is usually a throbbing pain on one side of the head, often with nausea, vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound, and it can last from a few hours to a few days. Some people get warning signs first — visual disturbances such as zigzag lines, called aura. A tension headache is milder, felt on both sides, and doesn't usually stop you carrying on.

Take a painkiller early — paracetamol or ibuprofen works best at the first signs, and Nurofen Migraine and Migraleve are designed for migraine specifically. Migraitan contains sumatriptan, which targets the migraine itself rather than just the pain; it's a pharmacy medicine, so our pharmacist will ask a few questions to check it suits you.

Often you can reduce them. Keeping a diary helps you spot your triggers — common ones include stress, missed meals, poor sleep, dehydration and hormonal changes — so you can avoid or manage them. Regular routines around sleep and meals help too. If attacks are frequent or hard to control, your GP can prescribe preventative treatment.

Call 999 for a sudden, agonising 'thunderclap' headache, or a headache with weakness, slurred speech, confusion, a seizure, or a stiff neck with fever. See your GP promptly if migraines are becoming more frequent or severe, if you get aura for the first time, or if your usual treatment has stopped working.