An attack of migraine can last anywhere from a few hours to many days
Migraines are among the most debilitating pains anyone can endure. According to experts, an attack of migraine can last anywhere from a few hours to many days. While it can be extremely difficult to predict how long an individual episode will last, charting its progress may help.
Doctors usually say that migraine episodes in children may last for shorter periods - a minimum of an hour or two for children over five years old and a minimum of 30 minutes for younger children.
Different phases of a migraine attack
A migraine attack often involves different phases, even though they come out as different in people.
Prodrome phase
It is the first phase that occurs hours to days before the attack, involving a change in mood and energy. Doctors say certain cravings or excessive yawning can be a sign of prodrome.
Aura
Around 25-35 per cent of people with migraine experience aura - a visual change with a kaleidoscope-like phenomenon that can last anywhere from five minutes to an hour, but usually much less than an hour.
A few symptoms of aura include tingling sensations, numbness, garbled speech, and clumsiness or weakness.
Headache phase
Headache phases last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, and in most people is marked by a severe headache on one side of the head that is throbbing and pulsating in quality.
The headache phase is also associated with sensitivity to your environment—like light, sound, and odour sensitivity.
Postdrome or recovery phase
The postdrome phase does not have any pain or maybe mild pain, but people do not feel normal — and can last 24 to 48 hours.
According to doctors, some of the phases may only last for a short time, whereas others may last much longer. You may not experience each phase with every episode you have. Many doctors suggest keeping a migraine journal that helps you track any patterns and prepare for what is to come.
Ways to Shorten Your Migraine Attacks
Doctors say recognising the signs that a migraine attack may be coming on, helps reduce the amount of time it lasts. A few tips to potentially reduce the length of your migraine attack:
Aggressively hydrate
Drink a lot of water and hydrate your body
Limit physical activity
If possible, sit or lie down somewhere.
Avoid stimulating environments
Go to a dark, quiet place
Some people find that relaxation techniques, such as meditation or massage, help reduce the tension they feel in their face, jaw, or neck. If you can release tension with these techniques, your migraine attack may not be as severe or last as long.
For many others, putting a cold compress on the temples relieves migraine symptoms and reduces the length of an attack.
OTC medication
OTC pain relievers are also helpful with symptoms that are mild or infrequent, and a few common options include:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
If your symptoms are more severe, you may want to try a medication that combines a pain reliever and caffeine. Caffeine has the potential to both trigger and treat migraine episodes, so you may want to avoid this product unless you are sure that caffeine is not a trigger for you.
