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Migraine day: what to do and when to see a doctor

Get through the attack, note what set it off, and know the signs that need urgent help.

27 items · 6 sections · health, medical

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Call an ambulance if (7)

  • A sudden, extremely painful headache
  • Trouble speaking or remembering things
  • Loss of vision, or blurred or double vision
  • Drowsy or confused, or a seizure
  • Weakness or can't move an arm, a leg or one side of the face
  • High temperature with signs of meningitis, or a recent head injury
  • Call 911 US, 999 UK, 112 or 108 India. Do not drive yourself

During the attack (5)

  • Lie down or sleep in a dark, quiet room
  • Take the medicine your doctor or pharmacist advised, as the label says
  • Sip water
  • Keep away from caffeine and alcohol
  • Tell work or school you are out, then put your phone away

Afterwards, keep a diary (4)

  • Write the time it started and how long it lasted
  • Note sleep, meals, stress, caffeine and your period
  • Note what helped, and any medicine you took
  • After some weeks, look for a pattern in your triggers

Between attacks (4)

  • Eat at regular times
  • Keep regular sleep hours
  • Drink enough, and limit caffeine and alcohol
  • Get regular exercise

Ask for an urgent appointment if (3)

  • An attack has lasted more than 72 hours
  • Aura symptoms last more than 1 hour
  • You are pregnant or recently gave birth

Book a routine doctor's visit if (4)

  • Attacks are severe, getting worse, or lasting longer
  • You get attacks more than once a week
  • Attacks are hard to control
  • They regularly come before or during your period

Written from www.nhs.uk

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