Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterised by moderate to severe headaches and nausea. While there is no cure, treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition, allowing patients to lead normal lives.
Over 4.9 million Australians suffer from migraines, with women being more commonly affected due to hormonal factors. Migraines can begin in childhood but often appear in a person’s 20s or 30s and are less common after 40. The disorder varies widely in severity, types, and symptoms.
Migraine is a genetic condition where the brain overreacts to sensory inputs, triggering a cascade of chemicals that cause migraine attacks. These attacks involve irritated pain nerves in the head and neck, spasms of blood vessels, and inflammation in the brain, resulting in severe headaches and other symptoms.
Beyond the migraine pain, sufferers often experience depression, anxiety, fatigue, and heightened stress, anger, and apprehension both during and between attacks. Additionally, migraines can disrupt social, family, and work-related activities.
There are various types of migraines as well as headaches, and distinguishing between them can be challenging. It’s important to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and management.
Migraine Phases
Although not everyone may experience all stages or symptoms of migraines, they generally occur in six phases:
- Premonitory Phase: Mood changes, brain fog, nausea, stiffness, and speech issues.
- Aura Phase: Visual disturbances, numbness, dizziness, confusion, or speech difficulties.
- Acute Phase: Severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.
- Resolution Phase: Headache ends, often with a need for sleep and fatigue.
- Postdrome Phase: Brain fog, fatigue, and mood changes.
- Interictal Phase: The period between attacks.
Symptoms
Migraines vary in symptoms. Typically, they involve a throbbing headache on one side of the head, worsening with activity, and sensitivity to light or sound. Nausea and vomiting are also common. These symptoms can last from 4 hours to 3 days, greatly affecting daily life.
Some symptoms could include:
- Sensitivity to smells
- Visual disturbances
- Difficulty concentrating or confusion
- General unwellness
- Speech or coordination issues
- Diarrhoea
- Neck and shoulder stiffness
- Tingling, numbness, or weakness in limbs
- Vertigo
Some individuals experience migraine without headaches, and others may suffer from prolonged attacks. The condition is influenced by unique triggers for each person, including food chemicals, smells, or hormones.
Seek medical advice if you experience these symptoms. Understanding and managing migraines can help reduce their impact on your life.
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history & lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about migraines.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications and experiences, and 31 languages spoken, to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.