Migraine Overview
Migraine is more than a headache. Much more.
Understanding the triggers
For millions of people with migraine, these factors can trigger an attack.
Stress and changes to your sleep pattern
Alcohol, certain foods, and skipping meals
Changes in weather and barometric pressure
Over-medicating
Hormonal changes, women’s periods, and a family history of migraine
Is it migraine or could it be something else?
- Lifestyle
What can trigger a migraine attack?
Read the overview to get a better understanding of migraine triggers and managing the condition.
5 min read
There’s more than one way to treat migraine.
Answer 5 questions to see if your current medication is meeting your needs or if it may be time to explore other options.
Your age, gender, and genetics can all affect how you experience migraine.
More than 40M people in the US are living with migraine, nationwide.
It’s more common than you might think.
Source: The Lancet
Women are 3 times more likely to suffer a migraine attack than men.
Hormonal changes may also play a role.
Source: The Lancet
Migraine is the second leading cause of disability around the world.
The only disability more common than migraine is back pain.
Source: National Headache Foundation
Genetics can also play a role in who experiences migraine pain.
Several genes are linked to likelihood.
Source: Yale Medicine
I would definitely tell people who are experiencing migraine to really tell it like it is […] I want you to tell the doctor this is not just, you know, a little headache.”
Rachael
Migraine Patient
Learn more about how to help keep yourself and others healthy.
- Treatment
Might have migraine? What to expect during a headache visit
Read the overview to get a better understanding of migraine triggers and managing the condition.
5 min read
- Lifestyle
Does exercise help or hurt your migraine?
Exercise can affect people with migraine in different ways.
3 min read
- Prevention
Medication overuse headaches: What you need to know
Migraine medicines can be useful, but not if overused.
4 min read
- Treatment
How doctors determine if you have migraine
Diagnosing migraine is a comprehensive, multi-step process.
5 min read
How to get help
Ready to talk to a doctor?
Search for a healthcare provider, in-person or through telehealth, who can focus on your condition and the treatments you need.
Still have questions?
What is the current understanding of migraine?
Migraine is more than a headache. As a complex neurological condition, migraine is a disorder that affects the brain and can cause intense pain on one or both sides of the head. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and/or sound, and poor concentration. A migraine attack can last 4 to 72 hours. There are approximately 40 million Americans living with migraine.
What are common triggers for migraine?
Many things can trigger a migraine attack, but they’re not the same for everyone. Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Certain foods
- Alcohol
- Skipping meals
- Sudden changes in weather/barometric pressure
- Hormonal changes in women around the time of their periods
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Over-medicating
This is not a complete list of migraine triggers. Beyond these triggers, having a family history of migraine and being female can also impact the likelihood of having migraine attacks.
How does menopause affect migraine?
Fluctuations in hormones during perimenopause, or the transition to menopause, can increase the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.
How many people live with migraine?
Migraine is one of the most common neurological diseases. Migraine affects 1 in 4 households in the US. There are approximately 40 million Americans living with migraine.
Are there any recent developments that can help treat migraine?
Over the last few years, there have been many developments in better understanding a potential root cause of migraine pain and the introduction of a new class of treatment. If your current migraine medication is not working for you, talk to your doctor about different treatments available today.
How do I get rid of migraine attacks?
There is no cure for migraine. However, there are treatment options. Since the severity and frequency of migraine attacks can differ from person to person, the way they’re treated can vary. There are two main approaches to migraine care: stop migraine attacks after they start (acute) or prevent them before they start (preventive). Many people with migraine use both acute and preventive treatments. These types of treatments can come in the form of oral medications, nasal sprays, injections, or devices.