Migraine

Migraine: What it is, symptoms and relief

Migraines are more than just headaches—they can be debilitating and affect daily life. Read our guide to learn about symptoms of the disease and effective relief options.

Migraines affect around 1 in 10 New Zealanders, often bringing symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and throbbing pain. While some people experience occasional migraines, others suffer from frequent, severe attacks that disrupt work, social life, and overall wellbeing. At Tend, we’re here to help you manage migraines with expert healthcare and personalised treatment plans.

Also known as: Māhunga ānini

• ‍‍Migraines are intense headaches, usually affecting one side of the head. They can cause sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and even vomiting.
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• Many people experience warning signs before a migraine attack, known as a ‘migraine aura.’ These symptoms may include blurred vision, tingling sensations, and dizziness.
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• Migraines are quite common, affecting around 1 in 10 New Zealanders. Women are more likely to experience them than men, and most people have their first migraine between the ages of 10 and 30.
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• While there is no cure for migraines, they can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication, and avoiding triggers.

In adults

Many people who suffer from migraine disease will get warning symptoms before a migraine attack.

These include:

• Tiredness
• Yawning a lot
• Trouble concentrating
• Feeling dizzy
• Blurred or impaired vision
• Light sensitivity
• Sound sensitivity
• Feeling irritable
• Feeling anxious
• Experiencing cravings
• Hunger
• Thirst
• Tingling or numbness

When the migraine headache begins, people normally experience:‍

• Intense pain on one side of their head. They may also feel dizzy and/or nauseous. Some people may have difficulty speaking or get a tingling sensation around their mouth.

In children

Migraine symptoms vary between younger children and adults. Caregivers should seek further advice from their GP for assessment and treatment plans.

The cause of migraine disease is currently unknown. However, there are several theories:

• One theory suggests that it’s genetic since migraine headaches tend to run in the family.
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• Migraines may also be related to chemical compounds and hormones, such as serotonin and estrogen, which often play a role in pain sensitivity
  for migraine sufferers.
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• Another theory suggests the dilation (enlarging or expanding) of blood vessels in the brain is also thought to be one factor in migraine

Migraines can be debilitating, but the right approach can help ease the pain and prevent future attacks. Finding the right combination of medication and lifestyle changes is key - small adjustments can make a big difference in managing symptoms.

Pain-relief medications can be used during a migraine headache‍

• Over-the-counter medications include: Ibuprofen and Panadol
• Patients need to be careful not to use pain-relief medicines in excess, as they can have a rebound effect, resulting in more
  headaches.

Anti-nausea or anti-vomiting medications

• Can be used if the patient is feeling unwell during a migraine attack.
• Medications include metoclopramide, domperidone and prochlorperazine.
• Some of these medications can actually help a person’s body absorb pain medication if they’re taken around the same time.

Triptan medications are used to make the blood vessels in the brain contract instead of dilate, which can ease symptoms of a migraine attack.
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Migraine disease affects people quite differently, so it can take time to find the right combination of treatment and medication. Not all medications are suitable for all sufferers, so we always recommend seeing a doctor before trying anything.

Actively learning about your triggers is the best way to prevent migraine headaches. A good way to do this is to take note of what you were doing before the attack started and see if any patterns develop.

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Changes to your routine can also trigger migraine headaches, so trying to establish some consistent habits may help to prevent attacks.‍ Some ideas are:

• Eating regularly at consistent times
• Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water
• Reducing stress with meditation
• Reducing stress with yoga
• Going to bed and waking up at the same times each day
• Avoiding sudden strenuous exercise – instead build up to more intense physical activity gradually
• Don’t drink too much caffeine

• If you’ve just started to experience migraine attacks, see your GP to figure out how to manage them.
• If you’re not responding to treatments or your migraine headaches are getting worse, see your GP.
• If your migraine attacks are triggered by other health conditions, a doctor may be able to help address these.
• If your first severe headache happens when you’re aged 50 or older, you should see a doctor immediately.

If you migraine is accompanied by the following:

• Sudden onset headache or a sudden change in baseline headache
• Neck stiffness
• A high fever
• Muscle weakness
• Changes to speech or vision
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Convulsions
• Confusion or changes in awareness

The doctors at Tend are here to help

If you have migraine symptoms and would like medical advice without leaving the house, you can book an online doctor appointment with a Tend doctor through your app.

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During your consultation, your doctor will assess your symptoms and recommend the best course of action. In some cases, a follow-up in-person appointment may be needed to ensure you receive the most thorough care. If this is required before prescribing medication, we’ll arrange an in-person visit at a time that suits you - at no extra cost.

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Your health and comfort come first, and we're here to support you every step of the way.