Migraines

General Health

Migraines aren’t just headaches—they can be overwhelming and exhausting.
At SwiftMedi, we’re here to help with trusted treatments and caring support, all delivered discreetly to your door.

Begin your consultation

About Migraines

Overview


Living with migraines can feel exhausting, isolating, and unpredictable — but you are not alone. Migraines are a recognised neurological condition, not “just headaches”, and they can affect anyone, at any stage of life.

During an attack, the pain and sensitivity can feel overwhelming. For some, it’s a throbbing, one-sided headache that makes it hard to think clearly. For others, it’s the nausea, dizziness, or flashing lights that stop them in their tracks. These symptoms can make even simple daily tasks — working, driving, enjoying time with family — feel impossible.

Migraines often strike without warning, but they are not your fault. They are caused by temporary changes in the way nerves, blood vessels, and brain chemicals interact. Triggers vary from person to person — hormones, stress, tiredness, or certain foods — but what’s important to know is that effective support and treatments are available.

At SwiftMedi, we understand how disruptive migraines can be. With the right treatment plan — from targeted migraine medicines like triptans, to lifestyle strategies that reduce attacks — many people find their migraines become more manageable, and their quality of life improves.

You don’t have to live in fear of the next attack. Help and relief are possible.

 


Symptoms


Migraines usually progress in phases, though not everyone experiences all of them.

Common symptoms include:

  • Throbbing or pulsating head pain (often one-sided)
  • Moderate to severe intensity, made worse by activity
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light, sound, or smells
  • Visual disturbances (flashing lights, blind spots, zig-zag lines)


Less common symptoms (migraine aura or associated features):

  • Numbness or tingling in the face or hands
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Dizziness or balance problems
  • Fatigue or mood changes before or after an attack



Diagnosis


Migraines are typically diagnosed based on symptoms and medical history.
There’s no single test, but your prescriber may:

  • Ask about headache frequency, duration, and severity
  • Explore possible triggers (stress, hormones, food, lack of sleep)
  • Rule out other causes with blood tests, scans, or referral to a specialist if needed



Treatments


Treatment depends on how often and how severely migraines affect you.

Lifestyle strategies:
  • Keeping a consistent sleep routine
  • Avoiding known triggers (certain foods, dehydration, alcohol)
  • Stress management and relaxation techniques

Over-the-counter medicines:
  • Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help mild attacks if taken early

Prescription medicines (available via SwiftMedi):
  • Triptans (such as Sumatriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan) – target the cause of migraine by narrowing dilated blood vessels and calming brain activity
  • Anti-sickness medicines – sometimes used alongside pain relief
  • Preventive treatments – for frequent or severe migraines, prescribers may recommend daily medicines to reduce how often they occur



Prevention


Migraines can’t always be avoided, but these steps may reduce attacks:

  • Keep a migraine diary – track triggers like food, stress, or hormonal changes
  • Stay hydrated – dehydration is a common trigger
  • Eat regular meals – avoid long gaps between food
  • Exercise moderately – regular movement can help prevent attacks
  • Reduce caffeine and alcohol – both may worsen migraines for some people



Misconceptions


“Migraines are just bad headaches.”
False — migraines are a complex neurological condition with wide-ranging symptoms.

“Only women get migraines.”
Not true — while more common in women, men also experience migraines.

“If you get migraines, you can’t live a normal life.”
Incorrect — with the right treatment and trigger management, most people control their migraines successfully.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a migraine and how is it different from a normal headache?

    A migraine is a neurological condition that causes strong throbbing pain, often with nausea and sensitivity to light or sound. Unlike a normal headache, migraines can be disabling and may come with warning signs or aura symptoms. Understanding your pattern helps guide the best treatment plan.

  • Which migraine treatments work the fastest?

    Triptans such as sumatriptan or rizatriptan are often the fastest-acting migraine medicines and work best when taken early. Some people get relief from high-dose ibuprofen or naproxen. Fast-melting or nasal versions may help if nausea makes tablets hard to swallow. A prescriber can help choose the right option.

  • When should I use a triptan for a migraine attack?

    Triptans work best when taken at the first sign of migraine pain, not during the aura alone. Early treatment improves response and may shorten the attack. If one triptan does not help enough, another type or dose may work better. A clinician will check suitability.

  • Why do my migraines return even after treatment?

    Migraines may return if medicine is taken too late, the dose is too low or the trigger is ongoing. Some people get short-term relief, then pain comes back as the attack evolves. Using the right triptan early, staying hydrated and avoiding painkiller overuse can help reduce recurrence.

  • What triggers migraines for most people?

    Common triggers include stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, missed meals, hormonal changes, bright lights, strong smells and certain foods. Keeping a diary helps identify patterns so you can avoid triggers or manage them better. Treatment works best alongside trigger control.

  • When should I see a doctor about my migraines?

    Seek help if migraines are frequent, severe, changing in pattern or not responding to treatment. Red flags such as sudden severe headache, weakness, slurred speech or vision loss need urgent assessment. Regular review helps ensure you’re on the right treatment.

  • Can medication overuse cause more migraines?

    Yes. Using painkillers or triptans too often may lead to medication-overuse headache, where symptoms become more frequent. Limiting simple painkillers to a few days a week and reviewing long-term use with a clinician can prevent this cycle.

  • What can I do if triptans stop working for my migraines?

    If a triptan becomes less effective, you may benefit from switching to a different triptan, adjusting timing, or using a faster formulation like a melt or nasal spray. Some people need anti-nausea medicine or preventive treatment if attacks remain frequent. Reviewing triggers is also important.

  • Do migraines cause nausea and sensitivity to light and sound?

    Yes. These symptoms are typical for migraines and help distinguish them from normal headaches. Many people also feel irritable, tired or unable to concentrate. Treating the attack early often reduces these sensory symptoms as well as the pain.

  • Are migraines linked to hormones or menstrual cycles?

    Many women experience migraines around their period due to hormonal changes. These migraines can be stronger and harder to treat. A clinician may recommend early triptan use, anti-inflammatory medicine or preventive options if symptoms occur monthly.

  • Can lifestyle changes help reduce migraine frequency?

    Regular meals, hydration, good sleep, exercise and stress management can help stabilise the nervous system and reduce attacks. Avoiding known triggers and keeping a migraine diary also improves long-term control.

  • Why do migraines start suddenly after years without problems?

    Hormonal changes, new stress, poor sleep, certain medicines or health changes can re-activate migraine pathways. Reviewing triggers, lifestyle and treatment options can help regain control.

  • Can migraines cause vision problems or aura symptoms?

    Yes. Some people develop flashing lights, zigzags or blind spots before the headache begins. Aura usually lasts under an hour. If visual changes are new, longer than expected or one-sided, medical review is important.

  • Are preventer tablets helpful for frequent migraines?

    Preventer medicines such as propranolol, amitriptyline or topiramate may help if you have regular or disabling migraines. They aim to reduce frequency and severity over time. Preventers are usually considered when you have several attacks each month.

  • What should I do during the early signs of a migraine?

    Treat early with the medicine recommended for you, stay hydrated, and rest in a quiet, dim space if possible. Avoiding strong triggers during early symptoms often shortens the attack.