Dr. Siobhan Walsh
In personOnlineIMC verified
Migraine
Migraine is commonly used for repeated headaches that may come with nausea, light sensitivity or sound sensitivity. Similar symptoms can happen for other reasons, so new, severe or changing headaches should be checked.
When to get emergency care
Get emergency help immediately if you have any of these:
- A headache that is sudden, the worst ever, or very different from usual.
- Headache with weakness, numbness, face drooping, speech trouble, confusion or seizure.
- Headache with fever, stiff neck, rash or repeated vomiting.
- New headache during pregnancy, after delivery, after head injury, or after age 50.
- Vision loss, severe eye pain or headache that keeps worsening despite rest.
Get emergency help or call 112
Common causes
- Migraine tendency, sometimes running in families.
- Poor sleep, missed meals, dehydration or stress.
- Bright light, loud noise, certain foods or strong smells in some people.
- Hormonal changes around periods.
- Other headache causes that need review if symptoms change.
What to expect at your consultation
- A clinician may ask about headache pattern, triggers, nausea, light sensitivity and aura symptoms.
- They may check blood pressure, eyes and nervous system signs.
- A headache diary may help guide follow-up and identify patterns.
Looking after yourself
- Rest in a dark, quiet room during an attack if safe to do so.
- Drink safe fluids and try to keep regular meals and sleep.
- Seek medical advice if attacks are frequent, disabling or changing.
Frequently asked questions
- Can migraine cause nausea?
- Yes, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound can occur with migraine-type headaches.
- What is an aura?
- An aura can be a temporary warning symptom such as flashing lights, tingling or speech difficulty. New aura-like symptoms should be assessed.
- Can stress trigger migraine?
- Stress, poor sleep and missed meals can trigger headaches in some people.
- When is migraine not safe to manage at home?
- Seek urgent care if the headache is sudden, worst ever, different from usual, or comes with weakness, confusion, fever or seizure.
Not sure how urgent this is?
Answer a few questions and we will tell you how soon to be seen.
Check my symptomsWhich doctor should I see?
- Neurologist Best fit for recurrent migraine-like headaches, aura symptoms or changing patterns.
- General Physician Can assess common triggers, rule out warning signs and coordinate care.
Not sure? See a general physician
Related doctors
Verified profiles for migraine start with neurologist.
Not sure which doctor fits? See a general physician