For the 8m people in Britain who suffer from them, migraines are more than just a headache. Migraine attacks, which often develop as a pulsating pain affecting one side of the head, can last for days, causing nausea, lethargy and sensitivity to light and sound.

Despite the debilitating nature of migraines, little is known about why they occur. They can develop at any time in life and anyone is a potential victim. The best way to minimise the effects is to spot the onset of an attack early. In particular look out for sudden feelings of tiredness and yawning. Around 10% of sufferers say these feelings are accompanied by flashing lights or zigzag lines.

As soon as you recognise these signs take simple painkillers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Reacting quickly to the signs is important and don’t be afraid to increase your dosage to the maximum recommended. “If the ordinary dose doesn’t work, try a slightly higher dose. For example, try taking 900mg of aspirin instead of 600mg,” says Dr Andrew Dowson, chairman of the advisory board to the Migraine Action Association.

Also, there are products such as Migraleve (a combination of antisickness treatment and paracetamol), which is available without prescription, or Imigran Recovery (see Kitbag). Avoiding bright lights and busy places can help relieve symptoms.

“Regular sleep, exercise, meals and plenty of water help prevent attacks,” says Dr Anne MacGregor, director of clinical research at the City of London Migraine Clinic. “The migrainous brain likes routine, so any changes can be a trigger.”

Other triggers include alcohol, caffeine, red wine and cheese. It may be that more than one trigger must be present to bring on an attack. Sufferers should try to keep a diary to help work out what their triggers may be and then adjust their lifestyle.

TAKING IT FURTHER

www.migraineclinic.org.uk Has a downloadable diary to identify triggers, and information on self-referral to the City of London Migraine Clinic

www.migraine.org.uk Website of the Migraine Action Association. Sufferers share experiences in blogs, and there is an Ask the Expert section

tinyurl.com/2782wn A history of headaches and their cures

What happens in an attack

Migraine attacks can last from four hours to three days, and happen in five stages. In the first stage, you may feel tired and listless. The next phase is marked by intolerance to light, noise and smells. Some people also see a light ‘aura’ around objects. Then comes a severe headache and nausea After the headache has gone, lethargy sets in, and sufferers are prone to falling asleep. The final stage, as the body recovers, is accompanied by a limited tolerance to food. After this it may take up to two days before you feel fully well.

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