A severe throbbing headache on one side, with light and sound unbearable and nausea, may be migraine. The UK National Health Service (NHS) says attacks usually last 4 hours to 3 days, early symptoms such as tiredness, yawning and a stiff neck can start up to 2 days before, and some people get an aura such as zigzag lights that shouldn’t last more than 1 hour. Take painkillers as soon as the headache starts, but not on more than 2 days a week. Here are the care thresholds and emergency signs.
1. Attacks usually 4 hours to 3 days; aura within 1 hour.
2. Painkillers at the start, but not more than 2 days a week — overuse can mean more headaches.
3. Sudden extreme headache, speech or memory trouble, vision changes, one-sided weakness: emergency.
Symptoms — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Main | Throbbing headache (often one side, worse with movement), feeling or being sick, very sensitive to light and sound | — |
| Early (up to 2 days before) | Tiredness, yawning, cravings or thirst, mood changes, stiff neck, peeing more | Can continue after the headache |
| Aura | Zigzag lines or flashing lights, numbness, dizziness, trouble speaking — no longer than 1 hour | Only some people |
| Duration | Usually 4 hours to 3 days; frequency varies; menstrual migraines often longer and worse | Usually improves with age |
When to get help — NHS
| Situation | NHS advice | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Severe, worsening or longer than usual | See a GP | In Korea, neurology or family medicine |
| More than once a week, hard to control, around periods | See a GP | — |
| Attack over 72 hours, aura over 1 hour, pregnant or recently had a baby | Urgent help | — |
| Sudden extremely painful headache, speech or memory trouble, vision loss or double vision, drowsy or confused, seizure, high temperature with meningitis signs, weakness on one side, recent head injury | 999; don’t drive yourself | 119 in Korea |
Causes and triggers — NHS
The cause is unknown but involves changes in brain nerves and blood vessels; it’s more likely with a close family member who has migraine and in women. Triggers include periods, anxiety and depression, stress and tiredness, skipped or irregular meals, too much caffeine and too little exercise; a migraine diary helps find yours.
Treatment and self-help — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| During an attack | Painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol as soon as it starts; triptans and gepants; anti-sickness medicines | Combinations may be needed |
| Caution | Not more than 2 days a week of painkillers — can cause more headaches | Up to 104 days a year (our sum) |
| Prevention | Beta blockers, antidepressants, epilepsy medicines; acupuncture; relaxation and CBT; vitamin B2 | Prescribed by a doctor |
| Self-help | Lie down in a dark room during attacks; avoid triggers; drink enough; less caffeine and alcohol; healthy weight; regular meals, exercise and sleep; manage stress | — |
Ordinary headaches are in headaches; dizziness in dizziness.
Checklist
- ☐ Keep a migraine diary (date, time, food, period, sleep)
- ☐ Painkillers early, 2 days a week at most
- ☐ More than weekly: see a doctor
- ☐ Attack over 72 hours or aura over 1 hour: urgent
- ☐ Sudden extreme headache, weakness, speech trouble: emergency
Questions that remain
Does coffee help or hurt?
The NHS lists too much caffeine as a trigger and says cut back; it gives no number of cups.
How much vitamin B2?
It’s named as a preventive without a dose; ask your doctor.
Sources
- NHS — Migraine — source (page shows: reviewed 10 March 2026, next review 10 March 2029; checked 20 October 2026). Symptoms, early signs, aura within 1 hour, 4 hours to 3 days, GP, urgent and 999 criteria, causes and triggers, treatment and prevention, the 2-day painkiller rule, self-help.
- Not read. Migraine Trust resources; Korean headache guidance.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- Neurology — frequent or hard-to-control migraine.
Written on 20 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
